Locals excluded from new market

TANGERANG (JP): Incensed residents of Poris Plawad Indah in Cipondoh district here are demanding answers from officials on why they were shut out of space at a new Rp 1 billion (US$153,846) market in their subdistrict.

"Instead of giving priority to operate in the market to local residents, who had expected the completion of the market project for a long time, the management is only allowing traders from other areas to come in," local resident Ilyas, 55, said on Tuesday.

"Based on information I received, officials of the management received types of bribes from the traders so that they neglected the local residents, who mostly paid down payments of between Rp 100,000 and Rp 400,000 each."

Ilyas said the residents wanted an explanation from officials of the Tangerang mayoralty.

The scheduled inauguration of the market on Nov. 16 has been postponed indefinitely due to the residents' opposition, he said.

It was originally planned one day ahead of the installation of Moch Thamrin as the new Tangerang mayor, replacing Djakaria Machmud.

Ilyas said the residents also urged the mayoralty to hold a new registration for market spaces to allow residents a chance.

A Cipondoh district official who asked not to be named said the management collected a registration fee of Rp 100,000 to Rp 200,000 from each of traders from other areas to operate kiosks in the market.

Moreover, 10 of the 128 kiosks at the market had been reserved by officials of the mayoralty, the official said, adding that the space reservation was usually free.

The market, built on a 3,900 square meters plot of land and funded from the city budget, appears deserted with leaks at several points in its roof and some walls cracked.

There is no road linking the market to nearby areas. The only road belonging to the subdistrict is blocked by a high wall.

When asked about the situation, Thamrin said he would order his subordinates to check into the matter forthwith. "I will also ask for explanations from representatives of the related institutions to see whether there was a mistake in its planning."

Thamrin insisted he would not allow neglect of a mayoralty property which was vital to business. He added that the facility was badly needed by locals and the mayoralty would do its utmost to ensure its operation soon. (41/hhr)