Traders query new kiosks

BOGOR (JP): Traders from Kebon Kembang market in Pasar Anyar went to the Bogor legislative council yesterday following rumors that the price of new kiosks in the market would be so high that they could not afford them.

Rumors have it that a kiosk will cost between Rp 12.5 million (US$5,219) and Rp 17.5 million per square meter.

The rumors have provoked the traders' anger despite the fact that the new kiosks have not yet been built.

Hundreds of kiosks in the old market were destroyed by fire in March 1995, but the plan to reconstruct the market building has yet to be realized.

The traders accused the Bogor mayoralty of illicitly setting prices.

Bogor Major Eddy Gunardi denied the allegation. He said the mayoralty had appointed developer PT Propindo Mulya Utama to redevelop the market, which was burnt last month.

Propindo's president director, Aang Hamid Suganda said demolishing the old buildings and cleaning up ruins would take another four months. (24/ste)