Jogja Government Responds to Quiet Sentul and Terban Markets After Renovation

The Yogyakarta City Government has responded to complaints from traders at two renovated markets, Pasar Sentul and Pasar Terban, regarding a lack of buyers. Some traders had requested that events be held as a means of promoting the markets.

Head of the People’s Markets Division at the Yogyakarta Trade Office, Gunawan Nugroho Utomo, stated that his office has considered organising events for promotional purposes at the two markets. He also said the door is open for any party wishing to hold events at the markets. However, Gunawan also questioned the commitment of traders regarding the event plans. He cited an example where a trader at Pasar Sentul had proposed an event and consulted with the office, but when it was offered to other traders, the majority refused because the event was scheduled for the afternoon.

‘So, he just asked his friends, let’s open, but in the afternoon, because the event is in the afternoon. But when it was conveyed, they didn’t want to,’ Gunawan said. ‘That’s why I said earlier, for activations, the commitment of the traders also needs to be reaffirmed. So it’s not just about the event, but also the traders’ commitment.’

Gunawan emphasised that his office is considering events to promote the two markets. He gave an example of an event that will be held at Pasar Terban in the near future. He hopes this event can be a trigger for other parties to also hold events at Pasar Terban and Pasar Sentul. ‘We are moving towards activation, we have several activations that hopefully in the near future there will be events that we do together with community friends,’ Gunawan said. ‘Please also convey to community friends who are willing to use the venue at Pasar Terban for their community activities or maybe events, we are very welcome. For example, on the 9th, there are plans for a 4WD community to be at Pasar Terban. Hopefully, this can be a trigger for subsequent events,’ he added.

Regarding complaints about street vendors selling chicken and vegetables drawing customers away, Gunawan said his office will coordinate with relevant agencies regarding enforcement. ‘If it’s related to selling chicken on the roadside, sorry, that will need to be discussed with the relevant OPD. Because what are their permits like on the road, how is the enforcement, because that is already outside the market area, outside our authority,’ he explained.

On the issue of traders remaining at the temporary relocation site, Pasar Batikan, Gunawan said the location has practically been returned to its original function as land clearing since Pasar Sentul and Pasar Terban became active again. He explained that the land was borrowed from the Yogyakarta Special Region Government and the Yogyakarta City Government, and its status has now been returned. According to him, the traders still there are not occupying the land area, but rather the outer side. ‘So, currently, the position is that we have returned the asset and the shelter location is no longer a market, it has returned to land clearing. But there are still a few traders selling outside,’ Gunawan said. ‘Actually, they are not our traders. They used to sell on the pavement of Pasar Sentul. So, they don’t even have an identity as a trader. Ah, if it’s about enforcement, please ask the relevant parties later, because it’s not my domain,’ he concluded.