Seasonal Street Vendors Proliferate in Prohibited Areas Ahead of Eid, Here is Cimahi City's Municipal Police Response

CIMAHI — Ahead of Eid 1447 Hijriah, pavements along Gandawijaya Street in Cimahi, West Java, have been inundated with seasonal street vendors. Traders have set up stalls across the entire pavement, restricting access for pedestrians.

The proliferation of street vendors (PKL) on the road pavement is a seasonal phenomenon preceding Eid. They sell various goods including clothing, shoes, sandals, headscarves and other items. However, selling activities on pavements are prohibited under Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 9 of 2021 concerning Public Order.

Mochammad Samsul Ma’arif, head of the Municipal Police and Fire Department of Cimahi City, stated that Gandawijaya Street annually becomes the most popular makeshift marketplace seized by seasonal vendors who exploit the Eid momentum for trading. “The street vendors currently selling and utilising road reserve areas and pavements along Gandawijaya Street represent a recurring phenomenon that regularly occurs when Ramadan arrives. They originate not only from Cimahi City but many also come from outside the Cimahi region,” said Samsul when confirmed on Sunday (15 March 2026).

He acknowledged that the presence of vendors filling the street, which is located in a commercial zone and the city centre of Cimahi, disrupts access for pedestrians. “Their presence indeed disrupts both pedestrian and vehicle users on the road. However, on the other hand, their presence is also greatly needed and awaited by residents shopping for Eid,” he said.