Street vendors permitted

JAKARTA (JP): The controversy over the presence of street vendors in the city during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan has ended after Governor Sutiyoso declared on Tuesday that the city's streets would be open to seasonal small-scale traders.

The governor said the city administration would allow street vendors to operate during Ramadhan if they consulted the offices of the five mayors concerning their trading plans.

"The important thing is that the street vendors should keep the city's streets in order and coordinate with the mayors," Sutiyoso said while addressing participants of a panel discussion on the city's inspectorate agency at Hotel Horison, Ancol, North Jakarta.

"The street vendors can use several less-populated locations in the city so that they do not create traffic jams and violate public order."

The statement was contradictory to a statement he made last week when he announced a 100-day public order program, including measures to curb seasonal street vendors.

The governor expressed confidence that the street vendors would not pose any problems to the city in the future.

"There will not be a problem if the street vendors coordinate with the local administration and comply with the laws and regulations," he said.

"It has become a tradition to let seasonal vendors operate on the city's streets and provide them spaces during Ramadhan.

"Furthermore, city residents need the vendors."

It is common to see street markets set up along the city's streets during Ramadhan.

Residents have repeatedly complained that the seasonal markets cause serious traffic jams. Their presence adds to the already crowded streets, which already have permanent street vendors.

Most seasonal vendors sell food and refreshments, such as cakes, dates, fruit and juice. Dates are popular during the fasting month. Some vendors also sell new clothes and fireworks. (05/jun)