DKI DPRD Demands Investigation of Alleged Bribery at Pasar Baru Palace, Traders Need Certainty
JAKARTA - The practice of alleged extortion (pungli) which is disturbing traders in the New Market Palace Building, Central Jakarta, is now under scrutiny. The DKI Jakarta DPRD urges that this issue be investigated thoroughly because it has the potential to harm traders and cause leakage of regional revenue.
Member of the DKI Jakarta Provincial DPRD, August Hamonangan, emphasized that this case is closely related to the governance of assets owned by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) which is suspected of being weak in supervision.
The problem of BPAD DKI Jakarta assets and the toll gap
August explained that kiosks in the area were recorded as assets of the DKI Jakarta Regional Asset Management Agency (BPAD). Based on Regulation Number 1 of 2026, every use of regional assets must contribute officially to the regional treasury.
However, the facts on the ground show irregularities since the old manager, PT Pancapermata Istana Pasar Baru, stopped operating in October 2025.
"There is an allegation of extortion because there are people who charge money to traders without clarity of status or authority. This deprives the region of its rights and harms traders," August told reporters, Thursday (14/5/2026).
The demand to the Jakarta Asset Management Centre (JAMC)
The PSI Faction politician assessed that the management vacancy should not be allowed to drag on. He suggested that the DKI BPAD immediately take control through its technical implementation unit.
"The vacancy of the manager must be immediately filled by the Jakarta Asset Management Centre (JAMC) Management Unit. This step is crucial so that traders get legal certainty and a sense of security in selling," he added.
August also asked Commission C of the DKI Jakarta DPRD to oversee the results of the in-depth investigation conducted by the Central Jakarta City Government in a transparent manner.
Responding to the unrest, the Mayor of Central Jakarta, Arifin, expressed his commitment to immediately investigate information regarding the service charge collected by unofficial parties.
"Thank you for the information, we will immediately investigate," said Arifin briefly.
Traders Ask for Protection and Legal Certainty
Based on the confession of traders, the situation has become murky since the end of last year. Some of the main points of the traders' complaints include:
Uncertainty of the Manager: Since the contract of PT Pancapermata ended in October 2025, there has been no official information regarding the successor of the manager. Illegal Billing: There are individuals who come to kiosks to collect operational costs without official letters of assignment. The desire to pay officially: Traders expressed their commitment to pay rent, but only to parties with clear legality from the DKI Provincial Government."We have always obeyed the official manager. Now we are confused because there are foreigners who charge without a clear basis," complained one of the kiosk tenants.
With the insistence of the DPRD, it is hoped that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will immediately coordinate with law enforcement if criminal elements are found, as well as save regional assets from irresponsible individuals.