Jakarta in dispute over Tanah Abang

The City Council and the administration are in a tug-of-war over plans to demolish the Tanah Abang textile market in Central Jakarta.

While the Council tries to delay the demolition, which is opposed by textile traders, the administration and city-run market operator PD Pasar Jaya are pressing ahead with the plan and have begun to remove traders from the market.

"The officials and PD Pasar Jaya have ignored our summons .... We want the plan delayed until a team of inquiry set up by the Council can examine the plan. The market belongs to the people, so we have the right to be involved in any plans regarding it," said Council deputy speaker Ilal Ferhard.

Ilal, who is a councillor from the Democratic Party, said he would bring up the issue with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday he would not delay the demolition of the market, which was constructed in the 1970s. He said studies had shown the market buildings are structurally unsound and could collapse within two years.

Tanah Abang traders staged a protest on Thursday over the Nov. 30 deadline given to them by PD Pasar Jaya to sign registration forms for their spaces in the new market that will be built to replace the Tanah Abang market.

They fear that by signing the form they will be considered as having approved the market demolition, said a spokesman for the traders, Sofyan Masyud.

The administration plans to replace the market with a modern shopping center. The traders are concerned they will be unable to afford space in the new market.--JP