Surabaya DPRD Supports Humane Street Vendor Management, Backs Mayor's Firm Actions

The Surabaya Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) has expressed support for the city administration’s efforts to manage street vendors (PKL) across various points in the city. Deputy Speaker Laila Mufidah stated that the management must be carried out humanely and accompanied by solutions so that vendors can continue to earn a living.

Laila Mufidah said that managing street vendors is a necessary step to maintain order in the city. However, she stressed that this management should not be interpreted as an attempt to prevent people from earning an income.

“Let us be orderly together without seizing public facility rights and selling on road shoulders. It can cause trouble for others due to traffic jams,” Mufidah said in a written statement on Thursday (16/7/2026).

The National Awakening Party (PKB) politician, affectionately known as Ning Mufidah, assessed that the presence of street vendors will always be part of the dynamics of a big city like Surabaya. Besides being a centre for services and the economy, Surabaya is also a destination for urbanisation, meaning the number of street vendors will continue to grow.

“Aside from parking and waste issues, street vendors will continue to be a focus for all of us. I am also helped by street vendors. But let us sell in the right places, not on the edges of roads,” she said.

Mufidah believes the Surabaya City Government supports the community’s economic activities. One example is the provision of Culinary Tourism Centres (SWK) as places for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and street vendors to trade.

According to her, residents must still be given space to earn a living, but not by using public facilities or disturbing the rights of road users.

“They are Surabaya residents with genuine Surabaya ID cards. We must support them in their economic activities. But do not violate the rules, do not sell on the streets,” she said.

She emphasised that every street vendor management effort must be carried out humanely, according to procedure, and accompanied by the provision of alternative locations for the vendors.

Mufidah appreciated the steps taken by the Surabaya City Government, which has so far prepared solutions in the form of stalls in markets and SWKs. According to her, this policy shows that management is not solely carried out through enforcement.

Furthermore, she also praised the firm stance of Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi against individuals who misuse SWK facilities, including the dismissal of the Tambak Wedi Sub-district Head who was allegedly involved in the buying and selling of stalls.

“Let us all be disciplined together. The DPRD supports the enforcement of regulations for the welfare of residents,” she said.

Mufidah also supports Mayor Eri Cahyadi’s move to open a hotline service for the public. According to her, this channel can be used by residents to report various issues, including the presence of street vendors selling in prohibited locations.

“What needs to be emphasised is that there should be no new street vendors at any location. The Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) must monitor intensively,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Surabaya City Government has prepared around 2,700 empty stalls in markets owned by PT Pasar Surya Perseroda to accommodate street vendors and overflow market traders. In addition, approximately 570 stalls are available in Culinary Tourism Centres that can be used as relocation sites for vendors.

“The management of street vendors will begin with socialisation, followed by warning stages and then enforcement. In its implementation, sub-district and village heads are asked to play an active role in assisting the process,” she concluded.