Traditional markets in need of PR

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja wants PD Pasar Jaya, the city-owned traditional market company, to design special promotional programs to attract customers.

The special programs, including continuous promotion of the uniqueness of traditional markets, are needed to enable them to survive amid stiff competition with the rising number of modern and well-equipped shopping centers, Surjadi said in a written speech, which was read to mark the 28th anniversary of the company.

"In attracting shoppers, PD Pasar Jaya has great potential, especially if it focuses on the traditions of the people's markets, including bargaining, which enables customers to meet and interact with other people, which sometimes could lead to friendships," the governor said in his remarks read by PD Pasar Jaya's director, Soedrajad.

"This has to be promoted continuously on many occasions because this is the one thing the traditional markets have that will not be found in any modern shopping centers," he said.

Antara reported that the positive aspects of the traditional markets have to be preserved in order to keep them from losing customers steadily as is the case now.

There are 162 traditional markets in the greater Jakarta area, of which 105 were built with the special presidential decree budget, and the remaining 57 were constructed under the initiative of PD Pasar Jaya and the private sector.

Among the problems facing the traditional markets is that PD Pasar Jaya maintains very lax control over many of them, which leads to problems with sanitation.

Plainclothes and uniformed people exacting fees of Rp 100 to Rp 500 (four to 23 US cents) from each trader for "security" make the situations at the markets even worse.

Beggars, pickpockets and thieves are another problem faced by shoppers at traditional markets. Due to the unfavorable conditions, many shoppers, including low-income families, have began to go shopping at the modern markets although they have to spend a little bit more money.

In his speech, the governor emphasized the importance of cleanliness at the traditional markets. (bsr)