Negotiations between vendors, management deadlocked

Negotiations between vendors, management deadlocked

Bambang Nurbianto
Jakarta

The meeting between the Tanah Abang market vendors and city
market operator PD Pasar Jaya had to be adjourned until Friday
after a deadlock with both parties insisting that they would not
budge from their stances.

"We will never reach any agreement if the city administration
says the demolition of the market is final, while we reject that.
We ended the meeting and now want to speak directly with Governor
Sutiyoso," said Sofyan Mas'ud, who represents the vendors from
Blocks B, C, D and E.

He denied that the traders had asked for a delay of the
reconstruction plan until after Idul Fitri holidays (Nov. 16). He
said the proposal just for a postponement was put forth by the
group of street vendors that work outside the market.

Another trader, Lukman, said that the main reason for opposing
the reconstruction was because they would not be able to afford
kiosks in the new market, which will be built by developer PT
Sari Kebon Jeruk Permai.

"I don't think many of us will be buying the new kiosks. Each
kiosk is offered at Rp 100 million (US$10,870). If the city
demolishes Tanah Abang, it essentially evicts us from this
market," he said.

PD Pasar Jaya president-director Prabowo Soenirman reiterated
that the buildings, constructed almost 30 years ago, would only
last two more years in their current condition.

"As the owner of the market, the administration is responsible
for any possible collapse of the buildings," he said, adding that
he could be sentenced to five years imprisonment if he allowed
traders to run their businesses there.

If there is still no agreement between the two parties,
Prabowo insisted that the administration would go ahead with the
reconstruction plan. He added that he did not need the City
Council's approval for the project.

"Don't blame us if the demolition goes ahead without your
agreement. Today is our first official announcement to you."

Prabowo also refused to assist the traders in their hoped for
meeting with Sutiyoso. Instead, he rescheduled another meeting
with them on Friday.

Last Thursday, Tanah Abang traders closed down their shops for
a massive protest opposing the reconstruction plan. PD Pasar Jaya
had offered a delay of the reconstruction until February 2005 to
allow traders to do business during the three major holidays --
Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year.

However, traders insisted that the reconstruction should only
start after the renovation project of the market's Block A
finishes in the next two years. Block A is under renovation after
it was gutted by fire in February 2003.

The appointed developer PT Sari Kebon Jeruk Permai was
required to provide a temporary market, equipped with elevators
and air-conditioning, in three alternative sites: over the Krukut
River, in Kebon Jati market and near Block A.