Market Traders to Summon Trade Minister
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Association of Indonesian Market Traders (APPSI) threatened to summon Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu in the near future. Minister Mari is considered as not running the President’s mandate as she did not protest the Zone Planning Decree which allows modern and traditional markets to be in the same area.
“If necessary, we will assemble the masses,” Jakarta APPI Head, Hasan Basri, told Tempo yesterday in Jakarta.
The threat was a reaction to the government’s statement that allows hypermarkets to be built in the center cities. The Zone Planning Decree which was passed by parliament last March allocated wholesale markets in suburban areas; hypermarkets in major cities; supermarkets in satellite cities and mini-markets in districts and sub-districts (Koran Tempo, April 23).
Traditional traders demanded the zoning or territorial division between modern and traditional markets to be included in the President Regulation Draft on Modern Markets which is now being discussed by the Trade Department. However, the demand was not accommodated as in several areas, modern and traditional markets are side by side and healthy.
The Zone Planning Decree, which is to be effective starting April 26, is not even in line with their desire, which is modern markets to be in suburban areas.
Although the zoning in the Zone Planning Decree is the Public Works Minister’s authority, he is of the opinion that the Trade Minister should also participate in the zoning matter. In addition, Minister Mari is expected to be able to create a healthy condition between the two markets by planning a clear zone. “This shows the government’s not taking sides,” he said.
A different opinion was held by General Chairman of the Modern Traders’ Association, Susanto. According to him, the hypermarket in the center of city will have positive effects for the improvement of traditional market’s management. He even stated he does not want to be in opposition to the traditional market.
“(We) want as many as possible modern markets that can operate but (compete) in a healthy way,” Susanto told Tempo.
RR Ariyani
“If necessary, we will assemble the masses,” Jakarta APPI Head, Hasan Basri, told Tempo yesterday in Jakarta.
The threat was a reaction to the government’s statement that allows hypermarkets to be built in the center cities. The Zone Planning Decree which was passed by parliament last March allocated wholesale markets in suburban areas; hypermarkets in major cities; supermarkets in satellite cities and mini-markets in districts and sub-districts (Koran Tempo, April 23).
Traditional traders demanded the zoning or territorial division between modern and traditional markets to be included in the President Regulation Draft on Modern Markets which is now being discussed by the Trade Department. However, the demand was not accommodated as in several areas, modern and traditional markets are side by side and healthy.
The Zone Planning Decree, which is to be effective starting April 26, is not even in line with their desire, which is modern markets to be in suburban areas.
Although the zoning in the Zone Planning Decree is the Public Works Minister’s authority, he is of the opinion that the Trade Minister should also participate in the zoning matter. In addition, Minister Mari is expected to be able to create a healthy condition between the two markets by planning a clear zone. “This shows the government’s not taking sides,” he said.
A different opinion was held by General Chairman of the Modern Traders’ Association, Susanto. According to him, the hypermarket in the center of city will have positive effects for the improvement of traditional market’s management. He even stated he does not want to be in opposition to the traditional market.
“(We) want as many as possible modern markets that can operate but (compete) in a healthy way,” Susanto told Tempo.
RR Ariyani