Kramat Jati Market Reorganisation: 614 Traders Relocated to New Locations

A total of 614 traders have been affected by the reorganisation of the Kramat Jati Market in East Jakarta, carried out by the Jakarta Provincial Government. Previously, these traders operated on pavements and road shoulders, causing significant traffic congestion.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the reorganisation of Kramat Jati Market aims to restore the function of public facilities while providing more orderly and decent business spaces. Currently, 331 traders have been placed in the Kramat Jati Market Sector 7, 193 fish traders in the Lokbin Kramat Jati, 45 cake traders in Lokbin Cililitan, and 45 other traders in various markets managed by Perumda Pasar Jaya.

He acknowledged that reorganising the area was not an easy task, as trading activities in Kramat Jati have been ongoing since the early 1970s. “This improvement is frankly not easy because it has been running for decades since the early 1970s. However, to create order in Jakarta, the reorganisation of Kramat Jati is an absolute necessity,” Pramono said on Wednesday.

He emphasised that the reorganisation is being conducted through a dialogue-based approach. The Jakarta Provincial Government has involved traders, community leaders, and trade association officials to ensure that the relocation is not merely a change of location, but also maintains business continuity.

To ease the burden on traders during the transition period, the Jakarta Provincial Government is waiving market levies for six months. The levy amount is Rp180,000 per month or Rp6,000 per day.

The authorities are also improving facilities at the designated locations, including drainage and air circulation. Fans have been added to enhance the comfort and cleanliness of the trading areas.

Pramono also requested the Communications, Information, and Digital Services Agency (Dinas Kominfotik) to expand publicity regarding the new locations so that the public is aware of where the traders have moved, helping them regain their customers.

“Our main principle is to prioritise a humanist approach by providing decent relocation sites. However, if in the future there are still those who return to trading on the roadside, strict enforcement and sanctions will still be applied,” he asserted.

The Jakarta Provincial Government is also preparing buffer locations to accommodate traders who have not yet been accommodated in the primary sites. This additional land is located near Kramat Jati and is targeted to be ready for use within three weeks.

“We are optimistic that within the next three weeks, the additional temporary facilities will be ready for use so that all traders can be fully accommodated,” said Pramono.

The Coordinator of the Kramat Jati Dawn Traders, Muhtarom, stated his support for the reorganisation. He noted that traders have been urged to use the facilities provided by the government.

“We have urged all dawn market traders to move into and utilise the facilities provided by the local government,” said Muinterom. He expressed hope that communication between the government and traders would be maintained throughout the transition period and the preparation of additional facilities.