Satpol PP Ordered Illegal Street Vendors At Simpang Lima Semarang

Semarang City Civil Service Police Unit (PP) officers brought order to illegal street vendors (PKL) in the Kanjengan Market area, Semarang, Friday (28/4/2023). BETWEEN/HO-Semarang City Government

The Semarang City Civil Service Police Unit (PP) continues to control illegal street vendors (PKL), this time it is the turn of street vendors to hang out at Simpang Lima Semarang Field.

There are about 40 illegal street vendors who were caught selling and were immediately brought under control because the Semarang City icon had been stipulated in regional regulations as a prohibited area for street vendors.

Most street vendors sell drinks, snacks, and snacks using tables, chairs, and umbrellas. All selling equipment was immediately confiscated by the Semarang City Satpol PP.

Head of Semarang City Satpol PP Fajar Purwoto emphasized that Simpang Lima Semarang Field is an area that has been banned from street vendors since several years ago.

He said the Simpang Lima area, which is integrated with Jalan Pahlawan and Jalan Imam Barjo, is a ban on street vendors.

"Here (The Simpang Lima Field, ed) there should be no traders. The prohibition area (PKL, ed). Only pure for tourism," he said.

The control, he said, followed up on complaints from residents who were angry with the existence of street vendors who were desperate to sell at Simpang Lima Field, Semarang.

"This area must be sterile. If you are desperate to trade, Satpol PP has the authority to take action. Please trade in the places that have been provided, such as the Intersection of Simpang Lima on the side of the road and the front of Taman Indonesia Kaya," said Fajar.

Meanwhile, a merchant declined to be named, admitting that he actually knew that the area was a no-trading area. However, they pay money to local thugs so they can trade.

"We actually know that (at Simpang Lima, ed.) we can't trade. However, we are 'coordinated' (coordinated) to pay so we can trade," he said.

On the same day, the Semarang City Satpol PP had previously brought order to around 75 illegal street vendors hanging on the edge of Jalan Alun-West Square Semarang, or in the Kanjengan Market complex Semarang.

The control was carried out by dismantling semi-permanent stalls to confiscation of carts belonging to street vendors led directly by the Head of Satpol PP Fajar Purwoto.

"The road is not for trading. They are selling on their own," said Fajar, who is also the Acting Head of the Semarang City Trade Office.