Sociologist Criticises CFD Vendor Clearance: Must Be More Humane

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – University of Indonesia (UI) sociologist Ida Ruwaida has argued that managing vendors in car-free day (CFD) areas cannot be achieved through enforcement alone. She stressed the need for an approach involving guidance and education for small vendors.

This was stated by Ida when commenting on a viral video showing Satpol PP clearing bicycle ice cream vendors at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout in Central Jakarta on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

“The primary role of Satpol PP is not just enforcement, but also extensive socialisation, including accompanying small vendors, especially street vendors,” Ida told Kompas.com on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.

“It would not be difficult if there was guidance and empowerment for small vendors so they could trade in accordance with existing regulations,” she said.

She cited examples from other cities. “In Bangkok, vendors do not cause disruption, do not litter, and remain clean,” Ida added.

On the same occasion, Ida also addressed the negative perception of Satpol PP among some members of the public during street vendor clearance operations.

“It is undeniable that there is a power dynamic between government officers and vendors or the general public,” she said.

“An apology culture is positive, but some apologies are merely symbolic to quell public anger,” Ida noted.

She stressed that a more important evaluation is changing the on-ground approach of officers, which has been perceived as curative and repressive.

“For instance, on commuter trains (KRL) or the MRT, security officers are consistently present and their role is not just to reprimand or remind, but also to assist passengers in need. They even ask passengers to give up their seats for those with special needs,” she said.

Ida added that a repressive approach should be a last resort, particularly when vendors repeatedly ignore warnings and continue to violate regulations.

“This approach should only be used when individuals repeatedly ignore warnings and continue to defy regulations,” she added.