Pasar Jaya parking policy under fire

JAKARTA (JP): PD Pasar Jaya, the city-owned company which oversees the capital's markets, announced it had introduced a parking policy designed to boost revenue on April 1, despite strong opposition from the City Council.

Councilors have demanded that the company scrap the policy because it was introduced without the governor's approval. They say the policy "burdens the people hardest hit by the economic crisis".

Under the new policy, motorists will be charged for a minimum two hour stay, a fee of Rp 1,000 and double what they used to have to pay for a minimum one hour stay. Subsequent hourly fees remain at Rp 500.

For motorcycles, the minimum parking period also rose from one hour to two hours and the tariff increased from Rp 200 to Rp 500. Subsequent hourly fees remain Rp 200.

Pasar Jaya spokesman Lihardin Sipayung said the increase in parking fees was designed to boost the company's income and allow it to meet new statutory value-added tax obligations in 1998.

"We increased parking tariffs so that company revenue will not drop after we pay value-added tax," Sipayung said.

"Besides, soaring prices have increased the company's operating costs."

Sipayung said the company announced the move on March 25.

He said that the policy had been implemented at major markets, including Tanah Abang, Senen, Bendungan Hilir and Cikini in Central Jakarta; Tebet Barat, Cipulir, Cipete and Blok A in South Jakarta; and Koja Baru and Sunter Podomoro in North Jakarta.

West Jakarta markets affected include Hayam Wuruk Indah, Tomang Barat, Grogol and Glodok. In East Jakarta the ruling applies to markets in Jatinegara, Rawa Bening, Kramat Jati, Sunan Giri, Pramuka and Klender.

Head of City Council Commission D for development affairs, Ali Wongso Sinaga, said that Pasar Jaya should have sought the approval of the governor before increasing parking charges.

"The fees should have been covered by a gubernatorial decree," he said.

Sinaga also said he had told PD Pasar Jaya chairman Albert Napitupulu to scrap the decree.

"I urged the chairman to seek approval from the governor," he said.

Djafar Badjeber, head of Commission B for economic affairs, shared Ali's opinion. He said the company should have not added a new burden to people who were bearing the brunt of the economic crisis.

"I hope Pasar Jaya will cancel the decree. They should have remembered that most shoppers at traditional markets come from lower income groups," he said.

Napitupulu declined to comment on the controversy. (ind)