The role of vendors
The recent decision taken by the authorities in Bandung and Jakarta to allow roadside vendors to operate during certain hours of the day in officially designated areas is a wise one that should be welcomed, especially under the present difficult circumstances.
The Bandung city authorities in particular deserve to be commended for their quick action -- not only in restoring the calm after Monday's riots in the Cicadas area, but in making special provisions to allow roadside vendors to ply their trade in that particular area despite an existing ban on roadside trade activities.
As was reported earlier this week, hundreds of roadside traders went on a rampage Monday, damaging at least 83 shops -- reportedly mostly Chinese-owned -- as well as a number of vehicles and flower pots.
As initially reported, the incident occurred after officers of the National Discipline Movement tried to forcefully evict the roadside vendors from the sidewalks along Cicadas which, according to regulations, should be kept free of such activities.
The reported incident naturally raised the question of how National Discipline Movement officials could let themselves become involved in evicting street vendors, which would have been a breach of discipline since taking such action was a police responsibility.
Officials later denied that National Discipline Movement officers were involved, saying that the action was taken by the police.
Whatever actually happened, however, and whoever actually carried out the eviction, has now become irrelevant with the settlement that has been reached between the officials and the vendors.
As West Java Governor R.Nuriana said, the incident was triggered by a misunderstanding and there is no need to blow it out of proportion. The rioting that was triggered by the eviction was purely criminal and no political motives were involved.
"They (the street vendors) certainly have to obey the rules, but on the other hand the officers should not go beyond the limits," the governor said.
What deserves our attention, however, is the fact that under the present circumstances incidents such as the one that occurred at Cicadas in Bandung can all too easily develop into situations that, like it or not, must have at least some political implications.
First, with hundreds of thousands of Indonesians now jobless because of layoffs triggered by the monetary crisis, social tensions have unavoidably increased.
Second, with Lebaran -- or Idul Fitri, the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan -- approaching, people normally need some extra income to celebrate the end-of-fasting holiday.
It has long been argued that what is known as the informal sector of the economy, to which roadside vendors belong, operates as an excellent safety valve for social tensions.
In times such as these, surely the important service which this particular sector provides can not be underscored enough. It is certainly true that roadside vendors are often the bane of urban planners and by occupying the sides of roads they often cause traffic jams. The presence of their kiosks spoils the order, the cleanliness and attractiveness of neighborhoods.
Yet, apart from providing a diversion from unemployment, vendors also fulfill the needs of the majority of the urban populace. Now, perhaps more than ever before, their service to society needs to be appreciated.