Sidewalk vendors

Sidewalk vendors

From Neraca

The Jakarta metropolitan administration has made every effort into putting sidewalk vendors (popularly known as kaki lima), in the Jakarta area, in order. All efforts have been fruitless. The authorities may be successful in getting rid of a group of sidewalk vendors in the morning, but unfortunately the same unpleasant scene reappears by the afternoon.

Actually it is very easy for the administration to get rid of the sidewalk vendors. The authorities have only taken action against the vendors. What they should realize is that the customers also share the blame. They should be prohibited from buying anything from the sidewalk vendors. How can this idea be put into action? Easy! They can introduce a regional regulation to that effect and just refer to Traffic Law No 14/1992!

For the wording of the regulation I would suggest this: "Those who buy anything at the road side, or from sidewalk vendors which occupy a place less than five meters away from the edge of the road, shall be fined Rp 10 million or sentenced to two years in jail."

How can this regulation be implemented? A bonus should be given to the staff member of the security and order agency who can catch, and arrest, a buyer red-handed on the sidewalk area. Fifty percent of the fine should go to the successful staff member. This will serve as additional income for the staff concerned. And a fine of Rp 5 million should be imposed on sidewalk vendors who sell their goods in restricted areas. This system will, hopefully, deter sidewalk vendors from violating the regulations.

Now, where should the sidewalk vendors go to earn a living? Actually, the Jakarta administration has provided a lot of markets but many vendors are reluctant to use the markets because of the lack of customers. However, since they have no choice, they have to sell their merchandise in the markets. Likewise, the customers must go the markets if they want to buy something, just as they go to supermarkets to shop. How easy!

The administration should act now, or take present conditions for granted ... till Doomsday arrives.

SAMUDRO UTOMO

Jakarta