The role of vendors

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.