Street Vendors Open Again Outside Tanah Abang Market, Satpol PP Adds Personnel

JAKARTA - Head of Jakarta Satpol PP, Arifin, said that his party has increased the number of personnel to oversee the Tanah Abang Market area, Central Jakarta. This is because a number of street vendors (PKL) have returned to their lapak title after being disciplined.

Arifin said that his party took several Satpol PP officers spread across five administrative cities to help oversee health protocols at Tanah Abang Market.

"We then increased the strength of Satpol PP personnel. Initially only 200 people, then we are now placing more than 500 joint officers who we involve from five urban areas," said Arifin when contacted, Friday, May 7.

According to him, the Satpol PP ranks will spread out at a number of points and patrol around Tanah Abang. There are surveillance tents placed on Jalan Jati Baru Raya, Jalan H. Fachrudin, Jalan H. Mas Mansyur, and the Kaori complex.

"In one area, Satpol PP members are assisted by quite a number of elements of the TNI because they also ensure that health protocols at stations, activities in the market are properly maintained," said Arifin.

Arifin said that the additional personnel from the TNI-Polri will be carried out until 9 May. The rest, members of the Satpol PP routinely carry out surveillance and patrol around Tanah Abang continues.

Tanah Abang Market was busy again on May 5 yesterday. The outside on the sidewalk is also filled with street vendors. Satpol PP officers are busy asking street vendors (PKL) who occupy the sidewalks to close their stalls and some are asked to move their selling items so they don't disturb pedestrians.

However, after the officers left after carrying out the action, the merchants took out their merchandise again.