Traders at the Istana Pasar Baru Building Complain of Mysterious Collection and Kiosk Lockers
JAKARTA - A number of traders at the New Market Palace Building, Central Jakarta, are being oppressed by unrest. They complain about the collection of service charges by an unknown party who is suspected of not being the official manager of the building.
This anxiety hit the tenants in the area of Jalan Pintu Air Raya Number 58-64, Pasar Baru Village, Sawah Besar District. The uncertainty of the status of the management of assets owned by the DKI Jakarta Regional Asset Management Agency (BPAD) is suspected to be the root of the problem.
Simpang Siur Status Building Manager
Until now, traders have officially rented rooms through PT Pancapermata Istana Pasar Baru. All payment obligations, from rent to operational costs, are always deposited with the company.
However, the situation changed since October 2025. Information emerged that PT Pancapermata Istana Pasar Baru was no longer serving as the official manager. Unfortunately, until now the traders have not received an official notification regarding the appointment of the new manager.
"Until now we have paid officially to the manager. But now there are people who come to collect service charges without clarity of legality," said one of the traders on Tuesday (12/5/2026).
Alleged Tax Arrears and Wild Collection
Apart from the issue of changing managers, there is information among traders that PT Pancapermata Istana Pasar Baru has a tax arrears of up to billions of rupiah to the DKI Jakarta Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda).
In the midst of this uncertainty, traders admit that they are often approached by individuals who ask for payment of service fees with a fantastic amount of tens of millions of rupiah. The billing was rejected outright by the traders because the individual was unable to show:
Proof of legality as an official manager. Details of the use of the funds invoiced. Receipt of payment or official receipt."If it is official, there should be a receipt and explanation of the cost for anything. This is not at all," complained another trader.
Intimidation: Electricity Disconnection to Kiosks Locked
The refusal of traders to pay the "mysterious" bill resulted in harmful acts of intimidation. Some tenants reported that the electricity flow to their kiosks was unilaterally cut off. In fact, there were business premises that were found to have been locked without prior notice.
"Electricity was turned off and kiosks were locked without permission. We feel pressured unilaterally," said one of the room tenants in a disappointed tone.
This unconducive security and comfort condition makes the Pasar Baru Palace Building begin to be abandoned by its residents. Trade activities in one of the potential assets owned by this area are also sluggish and quiet visitors.
The traders hope that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through related agencies will immediately intervene. They demand two main things:
Certainty of the status of the management of the building is transparent.Legal protection for tenants to avoid extortion or illegal billing by irresponsible individuals.