Tangerang warns extortionists

TANGERANG (JP): The regent of Tangerang, H. Syaifulah Abdurrahman, told traders of the Ciputat market, South Jakarta, whose kiosks were destroyed by fire on Oct. 20, to report to the authorities any officials asking them for money for occupying the space of a temporary market built there.

The regent said that the Tangerang administration has decided that the space in the temporary market is free of charge. "So you should not hesitate to report to me if you are asked for any payments," Syaifulah said.

According to the traders, some officials from the Tangerang administration have asked for Rp 1 million (US$456) for each plot in the temporary market, which is located in the former bus terminal in the Ciputat area and has a total area of more than 6,000 square meters.

The Tangerang administration has spent Rp 82 million ($37,408) to build the temporary market which can only accommodate 140 kiosks from the total 600 kiosks burned down by the fire.

Tangerang city secretary H. Moch. Thamrin, in his capacity as the head of the market rehabilitation committee, said the administration has tried to act as fair as possible in allocating the new space for the traders.

He said the administration will give first priority to traders who had occupied the old market the longest time.

Regent Syaifulah said the administration is now looking for a new site to relocate the market. (13/mas)