Medan bans sidewalk vendors

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Residents are being asked to prevent sidewalks from becoming sidewalk stalls by the city administration.

"The Medan administration is not forbidding residents from making a living by opening up a canteen in their yard. We just ask that they not allow vendors to use the sidewalks," said the head of city planning Aslan Harahap.

We're not trying to prohibit people from selling things, but they have to follow rules," he said as quoted by Antara.

He said unsanctioned sidewalk vendors conflicted with the interests of officially established markets. Aslan said traders should register with city authorities if they want to trade and have a stall at legal markets around the city.