Traders seek help from rights body

JAKARTA (JP): Some 40 traders from the Cisalak market in Bogor, West Java, have urged members of the National Commission on Human Rights to visit their site and order a private company to stop renovating the market.

The traders have filed repeated complaints with the body over the issue. The commission has responded to the complaints by sending letters to the Bogor administration and the private company. The two parties have not acted on the commission's letters or the traders' complaints.

"On behalf of Cisalak's market traders I beg you to send a team to check the truth of our complaints," Achmad Sanusi, the group's leader, said on Tuesday.

The market renovation started in 1993. In 1995, the market's merchants demanded the Bogor administration demolish 91 new kiosks and a four-meter wall they say cuts off their old kiosks from customers.

"We've suffered tremendously from this construction," trader Hardian said, complaining that the market is now prone to flooding.

Traders said the market is so unhealthy that customers stay away, which has forced many merchants into bankruptcy.

"There is virtually no ventilation, and it looks just like an animals' den," a trader described.

"Does the government have to wait until we've drowned or been burned alive?" another trader asked.

Achmad Sanusi told The Jakarta Post that 40 families have been affected by the renovation.

Edi Suparman, who received the traders, promised that the commission would soon hold a meeting to discuss the traders' complaints and find a solution to the problem.

He also said that the commission would consider sending some of its members to the site.

Edi, however, reminded traders that the commission functions as only an advisory body to various institutions regarding human rights violations.

"We really have no right to dictate to anyone," Edi told the group. (14)