Legalize border marts, govt urged

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Provincial councillors are demanding that the central government legalize the crime-prone illegal markets that are proliferating along the Indonesian - East Timorese border in Kupang.

Councillor Karel Y. Mbuik, chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction, Mell Adoe chairman of Golkar Party faction, Yahidin Umar, chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) faction told The Jakarta Post in separate interviews on Friday that 'illegal' markets were in reality helpful for boosting the local economy.

"If we legalize the markets it will make it a lot easier for local authorities to supervise and control them," Karel Y. Mbuik said.

The local administration could then impose legal levies on the traders after their operations are legalized, he said.

Sharing his opinion, Mell Adoe expressed his surprise that the central government had yet to take prompt action against the illegal markets.

"The border is vulnerable to crime. Therefore, these illegal markets need to be legally managed, or we will have more serious problems in the future," Adoe said, without specifying what type of crime actually took place at the markets.

The money circulated in the markets amounts to a large amount each day. The East Timorese traders use Australian dollars, while the Indonesian traders use the rupiah.

The Australian dollar is the legal currency in the former Indonesian province of East Timor. (30/sur)