Market renovation protested

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: A crowd of people claiming to represent traders of Pangeran Antasari shopping center here marched to city hall on Wednesday to protest plans to renovate the market.

The protesters, marching peacefully and carrying banners, walked about two kilometers from the market to the municipality office.

Upon arriving, the crowd placed their banners around the grounds and waited for Mayor Sadjoko to meet with them, Antara reported.

The mayor, accompanied by council speaker Tabranie Tjakra, said the plans to renovate the shopping center were aimed at benefiting the traders. "If not, the plan can be reviewed," Sadjoko said.

The demonstrators claimed that the renovation would hurt the market's 400 traders given current economic conditions. A spokesperson added that the current structure -- built with presidential funds -- had yet to be paid off, with Rp 3 billion still owed.

They argued that it would be better if the municipality just kept the market cleaner.