Jogja Trade Office Responds to Disabled Hawker Barred from Selling at Ngasem Market
The Yogyakarta City Trade Office (Disdag) has spoken out regarding the complaint of a disabled rambak cracker trader, Gilang Rizki, who was asked to leave while selling his wares at Pasar Ngasem in Yogyakarta City. Disdag Jogja has promised to find a solution for disabled hawkers.
Gunawan Nugroho Utomo, Head of the People’s Market Division at the Yogyakarta City Trade Office, confirmed the incident experienced by Gilang while trading at Pasar Ngasem. According to him, officers gave Gilang a persuasive explanation when he was selling at Ngasem on Saturday (18/7).
“Because the rules do not allow hawkers to enter the market, the security officers gave a polite explanation that hawkers are not permitted inside the Pasar Ngasem area,” he explained when contacted by detikJogja on Sunday (19/7).
“The trader was escorted to the front entrance to wait for a pick-up. For hawkers, those are indeed the rules,” Gunawan continued.
Although he stressed that hawkers are prohibited from trading inside Pasar Ngasem, Gunawan said his office would try to find a solution so that disabled traders like Gilang can continue to sell at the market.
Gunawan has not yet disclosed the technical details of how this will work. His office will discuss the matter internally and involve other Regional Apparatus Organisations (OPD) before making a decision.
“We will try to help later, if possible, with special facilitation for our disabled friends. We will soon try to assist with the facilitation policy,” he stated.
“Perhaps we will try to discuss the technicalities internally within the office first, and then with the relevant OPDs,” Gunawan added.
It was previously reported that a disabled rambak cracker trader, Gilang Rizki, complained about being asked to stop trading at Pasar Ngasem in Yogyakarta City. Although he is aware that illegal traders are prohibited at Pasar Ngasem, Gilang admitted he had no other choice to earn a living.
Gilang recounted that he was approached by market officers on Saturday (18/7) while he was setting up his wares in front of the Pasar Ngasem gate. He mentioned that the eviction was carried out gently without repressive action.
“Yesterday I was told. Yes, someone approached me, like the officers there. I was told, ‘Actually, excuse me, Mas. This is actually no longer allowed for illegal traders. How about finding another place?’,” Gilang explained when contacted by detikJogja on Sunday (19/7/2026).
Gilang admitted he has been warned like this several times, though he forgot the exact number. Gilang also fully understands that illegal traders are banned at Pasar Ngasem, but the visually impaired man said he had no choice.
“Actually, it applies to all traders, Mas. All traders, I mean not just me, the illegal ones. Yes, it is indeed prohibited for illegal traders. Because it is to keep the area clean, you know. Clean from illegal traders,” he said.
“Now, most of them are able-bodied, Mas. I am the only disabled one. Just me, and my livelihood is only this for the time being. Honestly, when I was banned, I did object somewhat,” Gilang continued.
Gilang admitted he heavily relies on Pasar Ngasem as his place to earn a living. His wares have always sold out whenever he traded there.