Tanah Abang vendors to relocate again
JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has given sidewalk vendors in streets around the Tanah Abang market, in Central Jakarta, their marching orders because their presence is causing intolerable traffic congestion.
"The vendors will have until the end of the Idul Fitri celebration in January to prepare themselves for the relocation," Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah said on Tuesday when he reported to Governor Sutiyoso about the condition of the mayoralty.
"The city can no longer tolerate the vendors' existence because they occupy about 80 percent of streets in Tanah Abang," Andi said. "Their activities, which violate the use of streets as public facilities, cause heavy traffic jams around the area."
Andi said if the vendors refuse to move, his public order officers will have no choice but to use "more coercive" measures to evict them.
"We feel sorry for the vendors because they are only trying to make a living. But their presence is a burden to the city, which already has problems ranging from traffic jams to crime. That's why they have to be moved away."
He said his office was planning to offer the vendors the free use of a 4,000-square-meter plot of land in the Tanah Abang subdistrict, which will be converted into a new market.
"But the city's budget cannot afford it now because of the current monetary crisis," he said, adding that a fund of about Rp 10 billion (US$2.74 million) was needed to clear the new site.
The Tanah Abang sidewalk vendors have been repeatedly relocated. Only a few months ago they were moved to the Kebon Jati market near Tanah Abang.
But they moved back to their old location because they considered the site to be too small. Moreover, they were concerned about losing their regular customers.
"Currently, there are 1,375 listed vendors operating in the Tanah Abang streets. But a proper count, I think, would be triple that number," Andi said.
Responding to the mayor's report, Governor Sutiyoso said one of the reasons the vendors wanted to stay at their present location was because they believe they have paid their dues.
"The vendors have spent a lot of money paying illegal levies to certain officials or hoodlums," the governor said. "They end up earning a small income and can't afford to rent a decent kiosk.
"Moreover, because they regularly pay these levies, they think they have a right to stay there."
Sutiyoso ordered the mayor to conduct a survey which would recommend a suitable relocation site for the vendors.
"The vendors must have a decent place to earn their living. If they want to trade, for example, in Senayan's eastern parking lot, I will give the idea serious thought.
"I will gladly provide them with a new place to trade, under the condition that there are integrated systems to ensure it remains a clean and safe environment."
Sidewalk vendors in Tanah Abang are reportedly obliged to pay daily levies, ranging from Rp 500 to Rp 2,000 per trader, depending on their merchandise and the amount of space they occupy.
They are also required to pay fees amounting to Rp 3,500 per day: Rp 2,000 for the authorities in charge of the Tanah Abang market, Rp 1,000 for sanitation and Rp 500 for security. (07)