Police Investigate Viral Cow-Dung Harassment of Traders in East Jakarta

In a viral post, the incident is said to have occurred on Tuesday (19 May). It states that several vendor stalls were terrorised with cow dung. From the photo posted on social media, the cow dung was seen in front of a shop-house (ruko). The narration mentions several vendors who were terrorised, including a plastics shop and a motorbike steam-cleaning place. It is suspected that the intimidation was carried out to force the vendors out. This is evidenced by a banner reading ‘Dilarang Berjualan di Sini A*****’ placed in front of the shop. When asked for confirmation, Pasar Rebo Police Sector (Kapolsek) Kompol I Wayan confirmed the incident. The police had also checked the location. ‘At the time of the incident, police officers from the sector headed to the location. The kiosk owner had not filed a report,’ he said. Wayan said the cow dung was thrown in front of the shop-house. The shop itself was not targeted. ‘It was not the shop that was pelted, but the cow dung in front of the shop used by street vendors to sell,’ he said. Wayan said the incident happened only once so far. He added that the stalls that were pelted with cow dung were usually used by street vendors (PKL) to sell vegetables and cakes. ‘This is the first time. Every morning there are vendors selling vegetables and cakes there,’ he added. He added that they are still investigating the incident, including the motive of the perpetrators. The police are still looking for CCTV footage. ‘It is still being investigated, there is no CCTV there,’ he concluded. Also watch video ‘Trying Belulut’, a NTB village tradition of floor with cow dung’