Traders rally against escalator installation
Traders rally against escalator installation
JAKARTA (JP): Around 100 traders at the city administration-
owned Melawai marketplace near Blok M bus terminal marched to
city council on Monday to protest the ongoing construction of
escalators in the four-story market building.
"The escalators will kill our business," said Dasril, a trader
who acted as spokesman for the protesters.
The protesters arrived at the council building in three
Metromini buses, unfurling banners reading, among other things,
"Protect us from the conglomerate, City Councilors."
Several representatives of the protesters were received by the
city council's commission B which oversees trade affairs.
Dasril told the councilors that two escalators are under
construction outside the building leading to the second floor of
the premises, where the Matahari department store occupies all
except the third floor.
The basement and first floor of the marketplace are occupied
by some 800 small-scale traders.
The protesters said that the escalators will prevent shoppers
from seeing goods displayed by the small-scale traders on the
first floor and basement of the building.
"We smell something fishy since we believe the construction of
the escalators by the (city-owned) PD Pasar Jaya is being carried
out at the request of Matahari. PD Pasar Jaya never bothered to
consult us first about it," said Dasril.
He said the traders had lodged a written protest with the
management of PD Pasar Jaya, but that it fell on deaf ears since
the management went ahead and constructed the escalators.
"If our protest continues unheeded, I'm afraid to say that the
traders will resort to violence. Therefore we beg you to help us
settle he case," Dasril told the councilors.
Dasril said there are already three escalators, two lifts and
two stairwells leading to the second floor inside the building.
Amarullah Asbah from the Golkar faction said the commission
would invite the management of PD Pasar Jaya to a hearing on the
matter. Besides, they will also inspect the marketplace in the
near future.
Zarkasy Marzuki of the United Development Party (PPP) faction
believes the construction of the escalators is not the only
reason behind the traders' complaint.
"We shall find out during the inspection whether there are
other reasons," said Zarkasy. (jsk)