Street vendors permitted

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)