Tanah Abang's chronic problems 'far from over'

JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta mayoralty's attempt to clean up Tanah Abang still has three hurdles to clear, including the presence of hoodlums who are believed to be the main source of problems in the area.

Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah said, during a plenary session yesterday with members of City Council Commission B for economic affairs, that illegal levies were still being collected, the crackdown on hoodlums was incomplete and illegal vendors continued to ignore a relocation order.

Mayor Subur was accompanied by Central Jakarta police chief Iman Hariyatna and Central Jakarta military chief Let. Col. Moeldoko at the meeting.

Sidewalk vendors do not have the courage to refuse to pay illegal levies collected by hoodlums and corrupt officials, Subur said.

And collections continue despite the mayoralty's stern measures aimed at restoring order in Tanah Abang, he said.

The mayoralty's public order officers -- with the support of special teams from Jakarta Police and Jakarta Military Command -- launched a major operation against hoodlums, gambling and prostitution last month.

At least 67 alleged hoodlums were rounded up and are being forced to participate in a rehabilitation program at Ragunan Sports Dormitory in South Jakarta.

And the mayoralty has demolished buildings which were believed to be the home bases of hoodlums

"So far, the municipality has spent some Rp 137 million for the operation in Tanah Abang," Djafar Badjeber, the head of Commission B for economic affairs, said.

Despite the crackdown, the mayoralty still has to deal with the remaining hoodlums in Tanah Abang, Subur said.

He explained that the relocation of vendors to a 4,000-square- meter plot in Kebon Jati area had proved difficult because most refuse to move from their semi-permanent kiosks in the alleys of Kebon Jati market.

Subur said that the revamping of Tanah Abang includes the demolition of slums in the Bongkaran red-light district and along the riverbanks.

"The mayoralty has thus far managed to clear 22 hectares of the 41-hectare plot designated for the cleanup."

In the meeting, Djafar praised the municipality's efforts, especially the determination of Mayor Subur to solve Tanah Abang's problems once and for all.

"As city councilors, we will strongly support your efforts and I think, if the plan works, it will be the first time order has been restored to Tanah Abang after years of tension," he said.

Governor Sutiyoso said that he wants the hoodlums to learn new skills so they can become worthwhile citizens.

"It's useless if they just start operating as hoodlums again. I want them to be workers," he said.

Djafar, who has been monitoring the developments in Tanah Abang, said the best way to deal with the area was to relocate those stationed in Tanah Abang in a bid to stamp out collusion with hoodlums.

"Most of the officials have been stationed there for more than 10 years. That is a source of collusion and corruption. The longer they stay, the greater the opportunities for manipulation."

He said chaos in the market could be attributed to some officials who sell certain plots in the area to vendors for the highest bid.

"A kiosk, with a floor space of one square meter, for example, used to be sold for between Rp 1 million and Rp 3 million. That's crazy. These kind of practices must be stopped." (edt)