South Jakarta Satpol PP Denies Allegations of Inhumane Crackdown on Vendor

Jakarta (ANTARA) - South Jakarta’s Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) has denied allegations of conducting an inhumane crackdown on a vendor in the Rasuna Said area, Karet Kuningan, Setiabudi. “That is slander and defamation. In the video, it is clear that we did not carry out any enforcement action, only shooing them away to prevent trading in that location,” said Head of South Jakarta Satpol PP, Nanto Dwi Subekti, when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday. Nanto stated that this relates to a viral TikTok video claiming that Satpol PP personnel extorted a vendor in the Setiabudi area. He emphasised that the information circulating in the video does not align with the facts on the ground. He explained that the incident is the second time involving the same vendor. Previously, a similar incident occurred in February 2026 and was resolved with an apology from the individual. However, on Saturday (5/4), the vendor resumed trading in the prohibited location during a routine patrol by the joint Satpol PP Quick Reaction Unit (URC) team. “The officers only reminded and shooed them away to prevent trading in that area,” he said. Nanto added that the Rasuna Said area must be kept free of street vendor activities to maintain public order. “Indeed, the Rasuna area must be sterile from vendors,” he said. Satpol PP, along with the local sub-district and village governments, has taken a persuasive approach with the vendor. On Monday (7/4), the Head of Setiabudi Sub-district Satpol PP also met with the individual to provide understanding. However, the vendor is said to still insist on trading in that location. As a solution, local authorities, together with the sub-district head, village head, and relevant parties, are preparing alternative legal trading locations through UMKM supervised sites (lokbin). “We have met with the sub-district head, village head, and UMKM to provide a solution so they can trade at lokbin, if the individual is willing,” said Nanto. Thus, South Jakarta Satpol PP hopes the vendor will comply with the applicable regulations and utilise the locations provided by the government so that business activities can continue without disrupting public order.