PD Pasar Jaya fails to maintain traditional markets
PD Pasar Jaya fails to maintain traditional markets
JAKARTA (JP): The city market authority has failed in its
quest to modernize the traditional markets with the failure to
introduce hygiene standards, one of the authorities most
important jobs according to a consumer advocate.
Zoemrotin K. Susilo, chairperson of the Indonesian Consumers
Organization, said PD Pasar Jaya's approach of modernizing
traditional markets to help them compete with supermarkets misses
the mark. Traditional markets can not compete with supermarkets
on their own ground, she added.
According to Zoemrotin, work on traditional markets should
emphasize the maintenance of cleanliness, safety, comfort and
also the strengthening of the special bonds between sellers and
buyers. These relationships do not exist at super markets, said
Zoemrotin.
She said that as a housewife she goes once a week to a
traditional market where she always bargains for the right prices
and enjoys the warm hospitality of the traders who provide fine
merchandise.
She is convinced that the unique character of the traditional
markets will help them survive.
In support of Zoemrotin's statement was Lihardin Sipayung, PD
Pasar Jaya's public relations manager, who said that bargaining
and warm hospitality are the advantages of traditional markets.
Governor Surjadi Soedirdja also recently stressed the need to
preserve the practice of bargaining that is an integral part of
the traditional market experience.
Surjadi acknowledged that the cleanliness and comfortableness
of traditional markets leaves much to be desired and admitted
that these shortcomings discourage shoppers.
Gerda Rosalina Marbun, head of the Blok M traditional market,
agreed that cleanliness was the most difficult thing to achieve
in a traditional market. However she claimed that buyers are also
responsible for the problem due to their indifference.
Lihardin said that since 1981 PD Pasar Jaya has been
organizing an annual three-day training course for market
traders, at which they discuss such subjects as sanitation,
marketing, how to display merchandise, banking and book keeping.
He said PD Pasar Jaya's main goal is to maintain cleanliness
and order at all of its markets.
Despite the uncovering of a Rp 134 million (US$62,238)
embezzlement case involving the authority's former treasurer in
August of 1992, Lihardin said that PD Pasar Jaya's contribution
to the municipality increased from Rp 600 billion ($278,680) in
1992 to Rp 700 billion ($325,127) in 1993. It hopes to earn Rp
900 billion ($418,021) in 1994. (03)