Monas traders worry of conflict

JAKARTA (JP): About 200 street vendors recently relocated to the southern periphery of Monas (the National Monument) in Central Jakarta are worried about conflicts for space at the new site.

They aired their fears at a meeting with Central Jakarta government officials at Gelanggang Remaja stadium over the weekend.

The traders said they saw evidence that conflict was likely because new traders were streaming in to the new site.

"The administration should closely supervise us," a trader told the meeting.

The 200 traders used to sell their merchandise at different places around the monument complex. They were relocated last Friday as part of the city government's efforts to beautify the park.

Traders told the officials that business had been sluggish during the first few days in the new location and the number of traders was swelling every day. (pan)