Provincial Government Urged to Consider Vendors Amid Crackdown on Illegal Parking in Lebak Bulus

A number of traders in the MRT Lebak Bulus area, South Jakarta, have requested attention from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) regarding the crackdown on illegal parking in the area, which is feared to impact their business continuity.

“We have been evicted many times, but there has never been any compensation. We clearly feel disadvantaged,” said one trader, Joni, to reporters after the illegal parking crackdown at the MRT Lebak Bulus Depot, Jakarta, on Friday.

He claimed to have been trading since 2018 along with around four other traders at the location. The crackdown is considered to force them to relocate again without any compensation.

According to Joni, the income obtained from the parking and trading business at the location is around Rp70,000 per day, with a parking fee of Rp5,000 per vehicle.

Previously, the location could accommodate up to 300 motorcycles on Jalan Kembang Lestari.

Therefore, the traders hope to continue their businesses in the area by following the official management provided by the government.

“We want to join the management, be recruited, so we can still do business,” said Joni.

The same sentiment was expressed by another trader, Rohida, who has been trading for more than 30 years. She claimed she did not receive prior information about the crackdown plan.

“I didn’t know. I only heard rumours yesterday that it was going to be cracked down,” said Rohida.

“I want to stay here. If it’s far, I can’t push the cart alone,” Rohida added.

As is known, on Friday, the DKI Provincial Government carried out a crackdown on illegal parking around the MRT Lebak Bulus area to tidy up the environment and reduce congestion.

However, the traders hope that the arrangement also considers the continuity of small businesses that have long been operating in the location.

Now, the land owned by Sarana Jaya can already be used as a parking lot and will gradually be arranged by the government.

In the future, the DKI Provincial Government is also still considering appropriate parking solutions for employees working in several malls in the area so that access remains easy.

Previously, residents complained about parking in the MRT Lebak Bulus Depot area, South Jakarta, which was suspected of encroaching on the road body, thus disturbing passing motorists.

Moreover, at the location, a “P” (parking) sign was installed indicating that the area was permitted for parking.