Mangga Dua stores remain bustling ahead of polls

JAKARTA (JP): Trading at the Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua and ITC Mangga Dua shopping centers in North Jakarta remained lively as of Friday, despite the expectation of violence during campaigning for the June 7 polls.

According to traders in the two popular shopping centers, they will continue to run their businesses and ignore the rumors, with some thanking the presence of military personnel in the area for their safety.

However, stall holders at the markets, which sell products ranging from textiles to mobile phones, said they would keep up with the latest developments in the city's security ahead of the official campaign period, which begins on May 19.

"We're closely watching any progress in relation to the upcoming general election," commented Sofia, the owner of a New Ritan women's clothes store on the third floor of Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua.

"If clashes among party supporters occur during the campaigning, we'll immediately close the shops," she added.

Sharing the idea, Handy Linardi, owner of Hidup Baru women's accessories shop, said media reports of frightened traders closing shops in the area were groundless.

"I don't believe the reports. We'll keep the shop open," he said.

Handy insisted that he and his fellow traders owed their fortitude to the visible presence of uniformed military personnel at the shopping centers.

The military, he said, have been collectively paid by the traders for the service. Handy did not give details of the payment, but admitted to spending Rp 500,000 since June last year for the service, which begun one month after the unforgettable May riots.

Ronnie, who runs a shoe shop, added: "During the May riots, the Mangga Dua shopping centers were not set on fire by the mobs, while a housing complex about 200 meters away was set ablaze because it had no security."

Located on Jl. Mangga Dua, the two shopping centers, surrounded by other shopping and business areas, are not only popular among Jakartans, but also visitors from other parts of the country as well as overseas.

But traders said they have witnessed a significant drop in customers since the bomb blast at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque on April 19.

"An average of only five to seven buyers show up everyday," Sofia said.

"Should this situation continue until the campaigning, it will be useless for me to keep my shop open," she said.

Sofia said she would stay home to avoid any danger during the campaign period and voting day.

"I'm still afraid that last year's riots will occur again," she said.

According to PT Oscarindo Utama Gemilang, which manages Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua, plans have been prepared to protect traders and their merchandise in the event of violence.

The company's security manager, who is also a senior member of the presidential guard and asked not to be named, said: "We have cooperated with North Jakarta Military Command since last year for the deployment of either uniformed or plain clothes personnel here."

As of Friday, the shopping centers have been protected by two- meter-high barbed wire fences placed at the entrances of the buildings. (01)