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)

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