Satpol PP bans extortion of street vendors during Ramadan

Jakarta — The Satpol PP has reiterated the prohibition on extortion (pungli) of street vendors (PKL) during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah. ‘I have also told my subordinates that there is no Satpol PP Kecamatan Kramat Jati that would beg or solicit—whether it is THR or other forms—from the traders or their wilayah administrators,’ said Endharwanto, the head of Satpol PP Kecamatan Kramat Jati. He made the remarks during a Bina Tertib Praja programme with several SKPDs as part of efforts to enforce local regulations and create order during Ramadan in Jakarta, on Thursday. ‘This activity today by the Satpol PP Kramat Jati along with the related SKPDs is a follow-up to what was declared by the Wali Kota Jakarta Timur regarding Bina Tertib Praja,’ he said. The steps are intended so that the community can observe Ramadan more devoutly and comfortably. ‘This activity is also in line with the instruction from Kasatpol PP DKI Jakarta regarding violations of perda in the area, particularly Kecamatan Kramat Jati, to help the community be more devout in observing worship during this Ramadan,’ Endharwanto said. Endharwanto also emphasised that there is no tolerance for extortion against PKL under the banner of any organisation or institution. ‘I also conveyed that yesterday there were reports on our Instagram about indications of people seeking help to break fast together, in the name of Karang Taruna Kecamatan Kramat Jati,’ he noted. He asserted that the information was false and confirmed that no Satpol PP Kecamatan Kramat Jati members are allowed to solicit donations or any form of extortion from either the traders or the public. ‘We state that it is not true; there is no extortion,’ he insisted. ‘If there is, I will process it administratively under the employee discipline rules,’ he added. He also urged all Satpol PP personnel in the field to promptly clarify any reports from the public of suspected extortion or other misconduct. ‘On the ground, I have told them that if there are indications of such reports, they should be clarified immediately; we must identify which individuals are responsible,’ he said.