Tanah Abang vendors to relocate again

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)