Tanah Abang talks deadlocked

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta

The meeting between the Tanah Abang market vendors and city market operator PD Pasar Jaya had to be adjourned until Friday after a deadlock with both parties insisting that they would not budge from their stances.

"We will never reach any agreement if the city administration says the demolition of the market is final, while we reject that. We ended the meeting and now want to speak directly with Governor Sutiyoso," said Sofyan Mas'ud, who represents the vendors from Blocks B, C, D and E.

He denied that the traders had asked for a delay of the reconstruction plan until after Idul Fitri holidays (Nov. 16). He said the proposal just for a postponement was put forth by the group of street vendors that work outside the market.

Another trader, Lukman, said that the main reason for opposing the reconstruction was because they would not be able to afford kiosks in the new market, which will be built by developer PT Sari Kebon Jeruk Permai.

"I don't think many of us will be buying the new kiosks. Each kiosk is offered at Rp 100 million (US$10,870). If the city demolishes Tanah Abang, it essentially evicts us from this market," he said.

PD Pasar Jaya president-director Prabowo Soenirman reiterated that the buildings, constructed almost 30 years ago, would only last two more years in their current condition.

"As the owner of the market, the administration is responsible for any possible collapse of the buildings," he said, adding that he could be sentenced to five years imprisonment if he allowed traders to run their businesses there.

If there is still no agreement between the two parties, Prabowo insisted that the administration would go ahead with the reconstruction plan. He added that he did not need the City Council's approval for the project.

"Don't blame us if the demolition goes ahead without your agreement. Today is our first official announcement to you."

Prabowo also refused to assist the traders in their hoped for meeting with Sutiyoso. Instead, he rescheduled another meeting with them on Friday.

Last Thursday, Tanah Abang traders closed down their shops for a massive protest opposing the reconstruction plan. PD Pasar Jaya had offered a delay of the reconstruction until February 2005 to allow traders to do business during the three major holidays -- Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year.

However, traders insisted that the reconstruction should only start after the renovation project of the market's Block A finishes in the next two years. Block A is under renovation after it was gutted by fire in February 2003.

The appointed developer PT Sari Kebon Jeruk Permai was required to provide a temporary market, equipped with elevators and air-conditioning, in three alternative sites: over the Krukut River, in Kebon Jati market and near Block A.