Traders angry at market relocation

TANGERANG: Hundreds of traders at the Jombang traditional market in Ciputat district complained on Tuesday at the administration's slowness in relocating them after the market building was razed in a fire last month.

"Let alone the reconstruction of the burned market building, the administration has yet to deliver on its promise to relocate the traders," Junaedi, 56, a trader, told The Jakarta Post.

Fire burned down 385 kiosks in the market last month. It was allegedly caused by a short circuit that occurred in the evening, giving no time for most of the traders to save their merchandise.

Currently, the traders are doing business in the parking area in front of the main market building, amid the rubble.

Regent Ismet Iskandar said his administration did not have enough funds to renovate the market in this year's budget.

"We will likely take the funds from the 2005 budget. We hope the traders can be patient until then," he said. -- JP