Traditional markets meet needs of rich and poor

JAKARTA (JP): Take your pick and shop at either traditional markets, which are widely considered unhygienic, or at air- conditioned supermarkets; or have the groceries delivered to your door. Some city residents share their preferences here:

Miranda Gultom, a director at Bank Indonesia: I haven't been to the market for quite a long time because I've been very busy... So it's the maid who goes to the market, usually once a week. She might go to the local traditional market, but only to buy certain essentials. I guess she picks the traditional market because it's more convenient for her.

Zumrotin K. Soesilo, executive director of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI): I go to Jatinegara or Cipinang traditional markets in East Jakarta to buy foodstuffs. The only reason is that as an activist, I should have a commitment and be consistent with what I've criticized.

When supermarkets were mushrooming in the 1980s, the (Jakarta municipality) made a regulation that they should not open before 10 a.m., and should be at least 500 meters away from traditional markets. The rule also said supermarkets had to buy vegetables and fruits from small-scale traders.

The fact is, they violated the regulation. YLKI has criticized this many times but without result. ...As an individual, I must take sides. So I refuse to buy foodstuffs at places which violate the rule.

Maria Saroinsong, supplier of homemade snacks at the House of Representatives: I always go to a traditional market because its cheaper and the goods are much fresher than those in a supermarket. The distance (from where I live) to the traditional market is also much shorter. I don't mind the crowded condition of the market, as long as I can have a better quality of vegetables, fruits and fish at cheaper prices.

Ida Mawaddah Noor, a city councilor: Why should I buy groceries at a supermarket? Prices at traditional markets are lower and the food is fresher.

Shopping at traditional markets doesn't take me much time as I am a regular customer at certain stalls for certain foods.

But I do rely on supermarkets to buy cosmetics, sanitary napkins, etc., as they are more easily found there than at traditional markets.

Indah Lindawati, employee of a private company: Since Hero and Golden Truly supermarkets in Central Jakarta were ransacked in last month's riots I felt I had no other choice but to buy foodstuffs at the nearby Cikini market. It's less than a 10- minute walk from my house.

But shopping there is time-consuming as foodstuffs are not arranged in groups like at supermarkets.

Moreover, it's difficult to find traditional markets which open until late at night because I can only shop after I finish work at about 9 p.m. Thank God the riots are over and the supermarket near my house has reopened.

Susy, an elementary school teacher in Depok: I used to go to Golden Truly supermarket to shop every month. But since February I have decided to buy almost all of my family's needs in the traditional markets. It's cheaper there. The quality, I think, is not so much different from the supermarkets. The riots which destroyed many supermarket buildings last month also contributed to my decision.

But it takes me a longer time to shop there. I have to bargain. If we are smart enough in bargaining we can buy things cheaper, occasionally much cheaper. This is something we cannot find in the supermarkets.

Uly S., a housewife in Pamulang, Tangerang, West Java:

The riots last month stopped the business operations of all supermarkets in Pamulang. One was destroyed by fire. So we have had to buy daily needs at traditional markets.

The supermarkets have resumed their operations, although they do not have complete stock. ...I go to the traditional markets to buy them.

I think I will have to rely on the traditional markets for shopping during the crisis. That's the only way I can make my husband's monthly salary last for one month.

Dhany Meisa, 28, an employee at PT Tri Citra Karya, a subsidiary of PT Bimantara Automotive: I found it relatively more difficult getting basic essentials in the first two weeks after the May 14 riots.

Essentials which I usually found at cheap prices at the traditional market near where I live (Kayuringin, south Bekasi) suddenly soared in price and there was far less of a variety.

I sometimes cook for myself or buy ready-to-eat food if essentials are not available at the market.

So, when the nearby Hero supermarket was closed (due to the riots) I found the riots had affected me but not too much.

But many of my colleagues with families have complained that finding essentials now is no longer as easy as it was before the riots. (team)