The Cries Of Jakarta Entrepreneurs That Anies Should Hear: They Have Fallen Due To COVID-19, Also Flood

JAKARTA - The Association of Indigenous Entrepreneurs (Hippi) of DKI Jakarta said that the floods that have occurred in the capital city and around since last Saturday have greatly impacted business and business activities in DKI Jakarta. In fact, making the turnover plummeted.

Jakarta DPD Hippi Chairman Sarman Simanjorang said that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrival of floods would certainly make business players worse off, especially in the trade sector. Such as trade centers, malls, restaurants, cafes, traditional markets, hotels as well as logistics and transportation.

Furthermore, Sarman explained that for almost a year business actors were depressed and collapsed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a policy of tightening areas.

"When it comes to losses, it is rather difficult to predict due to abnormal conditions. But, as if you have fallen, you have hit a ladder as well. It is getting tougher to face this challenge", he said, in a written statement received by VOI, Monday, February 22.

According to Sarman, floods will reduce the income of merchants and entrepreneurs who own entertainment venues such as restaurants or cafes.

Furthermore, Sarman admitted that he had visited a mall on Saturday night in the South Jakarta area. He got information from mall officials, that visitors are very quiet. In fact, the figure is only around 30 to 40 percent.

"In the midst of a pandemic, the people of Jakarta are still careful going out of their homes, especially with floods, of course, they are increasingly afraid to leave the house. This condition is indeed a challenge and a heavy burden for business actors who have been depressed and worsened for almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic", he explained.

According to him, not only were various business sectors affected, but people also suffered material losses, both those whose houses were flooded and those stuck on toll roads.

"The arrival of this flood certainly brings material losses, loss of turnover, and loss of time for businesses and society", he explained.

Sarman hopes that the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan can anticipate flooding from an early age by improving drainage, revitalizing rivers throughout the year as well as integrated coordination with the regional government that supports the capital city that sends water from the upstream.

"Business actors really hope that this flood problem can be further controlled. So that it does not interfere with various economic and community activities", he said.