Traders' Turnover at Kramat Jati Main Market Drops 30 Percent Due to Rubbish

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Turnover for traders at the Kramat Jati Main Market in East Jakarta has fallen by up to 30 percent due to a pile of rubbish reaching around six metres high at the Temporary Waste Storage Site (TPS) in the market.

“Due to the rubbish pile, turnover has dropped by up to 30 percent. Shoppers are reluctant to go to the back, especially to my stall area. They also avoid parking. Normally, if they park, they shop at the same time,” said one trader, Syaeful, at the Kramat Jati Main Market in East Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to him, the decline is quite significant, particularly during peak hours which are usually the main transaction times.

The dirty environment, pungent smell, and disrupted access make buyers reluctant to come, resulting in reduced trader turnover.

“I see buyers tending to avoid entering the inner market area, especially around the TPS location filled with rubbish; we have fewer customers,” said Syaeful.

He stated that rubbish collection at the TPS is actually carried out every day, but the volume transported is deemed insufficient compared to the continuously increasing amount of rubbish.

“Regarding this piled-up rubbish, the impacts are many, both economically and in terms of health. Economically, for loading and unloading, we traders, especially during peak hours, feel disrupted,” explained Syaeful.

In addition to the pungent smell, the roads around the stalls have become muddy and difficult to pass.

“Clearly, this rubbish is very disruptive to us and it seems there is no solution; it’s dragging on. We’re not silent; we’ve already raised our voices to PD Pasar Jaya. But up to now, there has been no resolution,” said Narto.

He hopes that the market management can soon take concrete steps to address the issue. Moreover, the traders have fulfilled their obligation to pay levies, so they deserve a clean and comfortable environment.

“Our hope as traders is that PD Pasar Jaya fulfils its obligations. We pay levies, so please fulfil the obligation to clean the rubbish. We’re not asking for much; the important thing is a clean and comfortable environment,” said Narto.

Rubbish collection is hoped to be carried out maximally and consistently so that trading activities can return to normal. If this situation continues, they fear the impact will not only be on declining income but also on the health of traders and market visitors.

Previously, the East Jakarta Environment Sub-Department (Sudin LH) continued assistance by deploying 13 rubbish transport trucks to reduce the towering rubbish at the Kramat Jati Main Market.

“Up to today, we still have vehicles there helping. Today we deployed 13 rubbish transport trucks,” said the Head of the East Jakarta Environment Sub-Department, Julius Monangta, in Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta, on Monday (30/3).

Monang emphasised that assistance from the East Jakarta Environment Sub-Department is not limited to a specific time but will continue until the rubbish condition at the location is properly handled.

In addition, Monang also assured that handling efforts will continue maximally with the ultimate target of all rubbish at the Kramat Jati Main Market being completely cleared.