Vendors report market destruction

Vendors report market destruction

JAKARTA: Several street vendors in the Surya traditional market in Kalideres, West Jakarta, have reported the destruction of their stalls late in July to the City Police on Friday.

"We want the city police to follow up on the report because the response we got from the Kalideres police precinct has been slow," Jakarta street vendor association head Muhammad Muhdi was quoted as saying by KompasCyberMedia.

Some 100 persons destroyed 200 stalls at the emergency market on July 26. The attackers also burnt down stalls and stole merchandise, causing the vendors to suffer losses totaling more than Rp 100 million.

According to Muhdi, the police precinct should have been able to identify and arrest the attackers. "At the time of the incident, there were police officers witnessing the incident. They seemed to be allowing these persons to destroy our stalls," he said.

Several vendors have declared themselves ready to testify as witnesses and to identify the criminals. "A vendor took a picture of them during the riot. That should make it easier for the police to arrest them," he said. -- JP