Street vendors on Malioboro

Street vendors on Malioboro

YOGYAKARTA: The opening of major department stores along Jl. Malioboro has brought more street vendors onto the city's main thoroughfare.

Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, the king of the sultanate, said on Saturday that Malioboro has grown more congested -- not less, as was feared earlier.

Concerns that the new department stores would force street vendors out of business have now been dashed, with shoppers and tourist flocking to the area.

The Sultan said he would welcome any initiative to open shopping centers away from Malioboro, Antara reported.(31)