Vendors rob pedestrians' right

Vendors rob pedestrians' right

From Pikiran Rakyat

Pedestrians have so far not enjoyed formal legal protection and no discussion has ever been held on this matter. However the government has shown some sign of doing something about it by building more sidewalks for the benefit of pedestrians.

Unfortunately, realities show that many vendors do their business on the sidewalks, thus robbing the pedestrians of their right to use the facility. Initially sidewalks were built to beautify the city and to protect pedestrians from the traffic. In fact the Bandung city administration, through its regulation No. 6/1995, regulates the use of the sidewalks to the effect that the facilities should be used according to their proper function. In line with the central ideal of this regulation, pedestrians then might have the right to file a law suit appealing the illegal use of the sidewalks.

I appeal to all concerned to realize their rights and responsibilities. The sidewalks were built for pedestrians and not for sidewalk vendors to do their business. The government has provided a special place for business operations i.e. markets or places especially designed for trading activities. The safety of pedestrians must become a concern of all. In the case a pedestrian experiences an accident, who is to blame?

SITI RAHMAWATI

Bandung, West Java