Traders lament Adipura award tactics

JAKARTA (JP): Traders in Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta, have complained about the clean-up operation conducted by the local authorities, saying that the yearly pursuit of the contested city development trophy has caused them suffering.

"It is always the same, every year," trader Mahdi said, "We play a cat and mouse game. Once the security officers disappear the traders who have been chased out return to the lots."

The trophy, known as the Adipura Award, is presented every June to the city judged the cleanest and most orderly. Central Jakarta has received four trophies in the past four years, while each of the four other mayoralties of the capital city have only received one each.

Head of the clean-up operation Basirun S. said that this year around 150 security personnel, including police officers, were mobilized daily in the last two weeks.

Hundreds of illegal traders, prostitutes and homeless people have been chased or taken away, he said.

The one-kilometer road in Tanah Abang market has been narrowed by the traders selling their wares on the sidewalks and road, causing heavy traffic jams in the area, which is a transit area for public transportation vehicles.

"I think the authorities should relocate us instead of just chasing us away," retailer Sahroni said.

He said that since he had been there for more than 10 years, he knew the whereabouts of local traders, whom he supplies with goods.

Usually, traders will come back about three months after the operation, he said.

"In the meantime, some of them try to sell their goods in front of factories, some return to their hometowns, but quite a lot become pickpockets or thieves to survive," he said.

He said that most local traders were not citizens of Jakarta. "They come from various regions to make a better life here."

Head of the clean-up operation, Basirun S. said that the local authorities have in fact provided the traders with hundreds of kiosks on the second and third floors of nearby Kebon Jati market building.

"They refuse to be relocated there because their clients are unwilling to go there," he said.

A report by the market management says that many traders have abandoned their kiosks, and are not paying the installments on bank loans.

Central Jakarta mayor Abdul Kahfi denied yesterday that the clean-up, which he claimed costs up to Rp 2 million ($899) per day, is carried out only to get the development trophy.

"This operation is here to stay," he said, adding that he plans to tap the private sector for funding.(03)