Mayor determined to clean up Tanah Abang mess

Mayor determined to clean up Tanah Abang mess

JAKARTA (JP): Undeterred by Monday's riot at Tanah Abang
market, Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi warned yesterday that
his officers would continue to remove vendors who spilled on to
the streets around the huge market complex.

But Kahfi also promised to punish any officer who stepped out
of line and mistreated vendors in Monday's riot.

He made the statement during a visit to the remnants of the
Tanah Abang District Office. The building was gutted when traders
set it alight because they were angry about public order officers
treating them roughly.

The riot broke out Monday morning when traders reacted
violently to a mayoralty operation to remove them from the
streets. Their presence had caused massive traffic congestion in
the area which is next to a bus terminal.

Vendors, angered by rumors a vendor had died from
mistreatment, set fire to several public order office vehicles.
Hundreds of people later marched to the Tanah Abang District
Office and set the building on fire.

Rumors of the trader's death turned out to be false but the
damage was done.

The Tanah Abang market, the city's main textile trading
center, was bustling again yesterday as if the riot never
happened, witnesses said.

Shoppers, preparing for Idul Fitri, crowded the market and the
streets were congested.

Police said they picked up three more Tanah Abang traders for
questioning yesterday, bringing the total to 11.

City Police spokesman Major Nyoman Suriasta said none of those
detained had been charged. Police still had no suspects, he said.

Police would also question public order officers over
allegations they had mistreated some traders.

Mayor Kahfi said the riot caused Rp 1.17 billion ($500,000)
damage. They include five Isuzu Panther vans and one Kijang van
the District Office owned. A Mitsubishi Gallant sedan belonging
to the district's deputy chief and a motorcycle were also
destroyed.

The fire at the District Office burnt many documents, three
personal computers and Rp 30 million in cash, he said.

The Mayor and Jakarta Deputy Governor for Administrative
Affairs Idroes inspected the gutted office and the market site.
They also checked preparations to set up a temporary office for
the district chief at nearby Kebon Melati subdistrict office.

Deputy Governor Idroes said police were already questioning
several public order officers in connection with the riots.

"Any employee proved of wrongdoing will be dismissed or
demoted," Idroes said.

City Council Speaker M.H. Ritonga, expressing deep regret at
the incident, called for a thorough investigation.

He said the authorities must punish any public order officers
who took the law into their own hands in dealing with vendors.

Although trading was bustling yesterday, some vendors were
still bitter about the authorities's handling of events.

One vendor, who sells sandals, said public order officers
trampled on his merchandise. "Traders would not have resorted to
violence if they weren't provoked," he said.

Vendors said they refused to move from the streets because
rents in the market's Block F were too expensive.

"My capital is only Rp 500,000, while the rent there is Rp
800,000," a trader selling underwear said.

A trader in Block F said he paid Rp 600,000 although PD Pasar
Jaya, the city-owned agency which manages the market, said the
highest rent is Rp 300,000.

Mayor Kahfi called the vendors' refusal to move into the
building absurd. He said vendors should have reported to him if
they were being charged above the official rate.

Vendors said they paid between Rp 500 and Rp 1,500 a day to
certain public order officers for the right to trade on the
streets.

Kahfi said the fees went to hoodlums trying to re-establish
control over the Tanah Abang market after they were removed by
the military in an operation early this month. (jun/anr/ste/05)

Photo -- Page 3

Editorial -- Page 4