Locals excluded from new market

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)