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)