Remember Tanah Abang

Remember Tanah Abang

The American invasion of Iraq has grabbed the attention of the
world, including Indonesia. Television stations here have been
showing images of people from all levels of society protesting
against the war.

I think it would be good for the protesters also to raise the
issue of Tanah Abang, which was recently gutted by fire that was
allegedly set on purpose. This is important so that the Tanah
Abang market will remain in the hands of the people, and not in
the hands of people like Tomy Winata.

The Tanah Abang market has an annual turnover of Rp 15
trillion, of which the Jakarta administration pockets some Rp 15
billion in taxes.

The fire damaged nearly half of the market's more than 7,000
kiosks and put 2,000 or so traders out of business.

The Jakarta administration should have declared the Tanah
Abang fire to be a national tragedy and then taken the proper
steps to help the vendors. The government channeled hundreds of
trillion of rupiah through recapitalization programs to help
corrupt tycoons and bank owners.

If mass organizations and non-governmental organizations are
able to provide the funds and mobilize demonstrators to stage
rallies in front of the U.S. Embassy, they should also be able to
do the same in front of the governor's office.

Helping the vendors of Tanah Abang could be seen as being
comparable with helping the oppressed.

TONTOWY DJAUHARI HAMZAH, Jakarta