DKI Provincial Government Reveals Monopoly Kiosk Practice At Barito Market: One Trader Controls Up To 15 Units

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises (PPKUKM) found the practice of abusing kiosk rental permits at Barito Market, South Jakarta. Most of the kiosks in the market, known as pet trading centers, were controlled by a handful of traders.

Head of the DKI Jakarta PPKUKM Service, Elisabeth Ratu Rante Allo, said the search results showed that 58.9 percent or 93 of the total 158 kiosks at Barito Market were not managed directly by the official tenants.

"Based on data in the field, a number of traders have been suspected of abusing the Barito Market kiosk rental permit. It turns out that one trader can control 10 to 15 kiosks, for then they lease them to small traders," said Ratu in her statement, Friday, October 17.

The practice of kiosk monopoly, according to the PPKUKM Service, occurred in almost all blocks. In Block JS25, which is a pet trading area, for example, 68.2 percent or 58 of the total 85 kiosks are controlled by only 17 traders.

"It was in this kiosk block that there was one trader who uploaded 15 kiosks and then rented them to a second party, as if this kiosk belonged to a private party," said Ratu.

A similar situation also occurred in Block JS26, fruit trading zone and parcel, where 88.9 percent or 16 of the 18 kiosks were only managed by six traders. Meanwhile in Block JS30 which contains culinary traders, 50 percent or 17 of the 34 stalls are controlled by six people. Only in Block JS96, official rental data is in accordance with conditions in the field.

"This needs to be straightened out, because the misuse of the kiosk rental permit is clearly detrimental to small traders. What should be able to contract directly with PPKUKM, so they must contract with those who monopolize the right to rent kiosks," he explained.

As a improvement step, the DKI Provincial Government plans to move animal trafficking activities to the Fauna Lenteng Agung Center. The area is said to be a more organized fauna trading center and provides equal opportunities for small traders.

Ratu said the government would provide a number of conveniences for Barito Market traders who want to switch to the new center.

"We designed the Fauna Lenteng Agung center to become a new home for traders. There it is cleaner, safer, and more comfortable for visitors and pets," he said.

The DKI Provincial Government has also prepared incentives in the form of free kiosks for the first six months, ease of business licensing, and assistance in management and access to financing for small business actors.

He emphasized that this step was not just a location transfer, but also an effort to improve market governance so that it was fairer and not controlled by certain parties.

"We are committed to creating a healthy trading ecosystem. So let's build the Fauna Lenteng Agung Center together," concluded Ratu.