Market rebuilt amid environmental concern

Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Most vendors at the Taman Puring flea market in South Jakarta whose kiosks and merchandise were razed by fire three months ago can not afford the new outlets that are being developed in the site.

Ali Sadeli, the traders' coordinator, said on Thursday that only 100 of the 400 vendors in the market had paid the down payment for the new kiosks, which could be ready by November.

"We have financial constraints following the tragedy," Ali said.

Most of traders are just struggling to survive after the blaze. Some run their business at the roadside, some act as freelance brokers, while others have gone back to their villages.

A two-story market is being developed on the site despite protests from environmentalists as it is actually a green area.

The new kiosks are offered for Rp 15 million each and the traders have to pay half of the price as the downpayment by the end of October. The rest should be paid in monthly installments.

The traders are facing financial problems as they suffered great loses in the wake of June's fire that swept through 580 kiosks and left 370 traders penniless. It was the second blaze since 1990 when 20 kiosks were burned down.

PT Sari Keisindo Properti is now developing a new market with 677 kiosks measuring 1.5 meters by 1.2 meters on a 3,000 square meter plot of land.

Asrul, who used to sell antique goods at the flea market said he suffered financial losses of around Rp 150 million as his antique goods in his two kiosks all went up in smoke.

He now works as a supervisor for the construction project and earns Rp 10,000 a day.

"Solidarity among the traders here has also helped me survive so far," he said, noting that many times his fellow traders shared their income for unfortunate friends.