Merchants at Narmada Park Protest Eviction
Around 15 merchants at Taman Narmada staged a protest at the West Lombok Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD). They refused to accept the eviction of their selling stalls on Wednesday (22 April 2026).
Supriadi, the merchants’ representative, strongly rejected the relocation of his stall to sell outside the entrance of Taman Narmada.
“We keep getting pushed out and placed outside. The place for tourists to visit is inside, yet we’re told to shop outside,” said Supriadi during a hearing with Commission II of the West Lombok DPRD on Tuesday (28 April 2026).
According to Supriadi, the stall relocation policy would reduce the merchants’ income. He requested that their selling positions be returned inside the Taman Narmada area.
“We want to be allowed back inside to sell. These are mothers selling satay, coffee sellers, all of them expressed their complaints earlier,” explained Supriadi.
Supriadi even criticised the West Lombok Regent, Lalu Ahmad Zaini (LAZ). He assessed that LAZ was unable to realise the vision and mission of prospering small communities in every village.
“This Regent has forgotten his dignity and vision and mission. Which is to build from the villages, of course, by heeding the cries of the small people. The small merchant mothers are crying,” revealed Supriadi.
The Chairman of Commission II of the West Lombok DPRD, Husnan Wadi, said they could not decide this matter hastily. Commission II of the West Lombok DPRD would conduct an in-depth internal discussion to ensure no party is disadvantaged.
“The management of this area must have clear principles. This cultural park is not just an economic asset, but a legacy for future generations. Therefore, its handling must consider small merchants,” emphasised Husnan.
Taman Narmada is managed by PT Patut Patuh Patju (Tripat), a regional-owned enterprise (BUMD) of West Lombok. The Director of PT Tripat, Wewe Anggraini, stated that the merchant relocation policy was in accordance with procedures and regulations.
Wewe said the arrangement of merchants’ stalls was carried out to maintain aesthetics inside the park. This is because Taman Narmada is included in the National Cultural Conservation Area (KCBN).
“So far, we have been very careful with the situation, but it is already in accordance with procedures and regulations,” explained Wewe.
The arrangement, Wewe clarified, was done for the sake of fairness. According to her, there were several stalls controlled by one party for a very long time.
“That’s the Regent’s message for fairness. We don’t want it to be controlled by one person,” explained Wewe.