Vendors oppose market plan

TANGERANG: Hundreds of vendors in Curug market, Tangerang regency, staged a rally on Wednesday at the regency council building in Tigaraksa, demanding the administration not to rebuild Curug market.

The vendors urged Council Commission B overseeing economic affairs to reject developer PT Bangun Bina Prima Sarana's plan to rebuild the market, as they considered the old market as below standard.

"The old market did not have a dump site or parking lot, and the electrical installation was so poor that it could easily spark a fire and burn down the market," said Andi Suhandi, head of the Curug district community group.

Fire razed the Curug market on March 17, destroying some 700 kiosks and causing material losses of over Rp 20 billion (US$2.35 million).

Mulyana, a Curug vendor, said that since the vendors were temporarily relocated to a soccer field nearby, they had lost their customers.

Councillor Suryadi said the council recommended the developer's plan to rebuild Curug market as a response to pressure from the Curug Market Traders Union and Market Cooperatives. -- JP