Mounting Rubbish Piles at Kramat Jati Main Market, Traders Worry Over Declining Turnover

Traders at Kramat Jati Main Market are concerned about rubbish piles reaching around six metres high, which are affecting their activities and income. One trader, Syaeful, stated that rubbish collection at the market’s temporary disposal site (TPS) is carried out daily. However, the volume collected is deemed insufficient compared to the continuously growing amount of waste. He explained that this condition has also reduced turnover by around 30 per cent because customers are reluctant to visit his stall area. “Because shoppers are reluctant to come to the back here, especially to my section, they don’t want to park. If they park, it means they’re stopping to shop,” he said. “Clearly, this rubbish is very disruptive to us and seems like there’s no solution, it’s dragging on. We’re not silent; we’ve raised our voices a lot to PD Pasar Jaya. But so far, there’s been no resolution,” said Narto. He hopes that rubbish collection can be maximised so that traders’ and the public’s activities can return to being comfortable. Previously, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that all rubbish in several areas of Jakarta has been handled. However, a different situation is evident at Kramat Jati Main Market in East Jakarta. Rubbish piles in the area have been mounting for the past month, following operational restrictions at the Bantargebang TPST in Bekasi City. Based on observations, the Jakarta Environment Agency (DLH) is currently conducting rubbish collection at the TPS of Kramat Jati Main Market. One rubbish truck belonging to DLH was seen transporting waste loaded into the truck bed using heavy equipment like a shovel. Although collection is underway, the rubbish piles are still visibly high, reaching around six metres, dominated by vegetable and fruit waste. Additionally, a pungent odour is detectable around the TPS, which directly borders the traders’ stalls.