Law breakers

Law breakers

The increasing number of traders in Pasar Anyar (New Market)
and on Jl. Ahmad Yani in Tangerang as reported in Media Indonesia
on June 16, 2000 is concrete evidence that the regional
authorities are slow maintaining order (unintentionally or
intentionally) so that determined action and strong political
will be needed to solve the problem. Delayed measures will only
cause unnecessary loss (sometimes loss of lives). Take, for
example, the case of the raids against the VCD traders in
downtown Glodok.

The raids triggered anger among the vendors who had been doing
business in the area for quite some time with support from
certain agents who collected fees from them.

We regret that there had been no firm measures from the
authorities against law breakers. The latter usually constitute a
small group at the beginning but later the group grows larger
until it is difficult for the authorities to restore order. As we
clearly notice in many places, pavements are used by the vendors
to sell their goods which cause hindrances to traffic. Governors,
mayors and district chiefs have changed many times but this
disorderly situation remains.

We are now wondering when will the authorities take necessary
measures to put things in order. If they are incapable of doing
their jobs properly why not conduct a contest on how to sort out
the city social problems such as disorderly sidewalk vendors,
parking, arranging car documents etc. Or they should not hesitate
to resign from their jobs and give more capable people the
opportunity.

H. WISDARMANTO GS

Jakarta