JAKARTA - The Pedestrian Coalition highlights the still poor condition of the sidewalks in Jakarta. Based on the data they collected, almost 90 percent of the sidewalks in the capital city cannot be fully used according to their function because they are occupied by illegal parking and street vendors (PKL).
Koalisi Pejalan Kaki activist, Fahmi Saimima, said that the occupation of the sidewalk was detrimental to all pedestrians, including vulnerable groups such as blind people with disabilities. According to him, this problem is not just a minor violation, but has been going on for a long time and tends to be left alone.
"Data from the Pedestrian Coalition, shows that almost 90 percent of the sidewalks in Jakarta are still occupied by 'cut' by illegal parking and street vendors," Fahmi told reporters, Wednesday, January 28.
Fahmi assessed that this condition makes the safe space for pedestrians narrower. Fahmi also criticized the permissive practice that occurred in the field, so that the misuse of the sidewalk was considered a common thing.
"Not only the blind, but all pedestrians feel disadvantaged, and what is outrageous, this is left and normalized," he said.
In addition to the issue of illegal parking and street vendors, Fahmi also highlighted the sidewalks that were damaged or cut due to infrastructure projects. He mentioned a number of cases of cutting sidewalks due to sanitation projects and utility excavations that were considered not to be completed thoroughly.
"If it is related to many sidewalks being cut due to development projects such as the TB Simatupang tragedy and the sidewalk near HI Roundabout, this must be done immediately for all road projects in Jakarta," said Fahmi.
He also urged the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government not to hesitate to sanction those who violate the rules. The punishment, said Fahmi, needs to target contractors, building managers, and individuals who cut the sidewalk without official permission.
From the legislative side, Member of Commission A of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Kevin Wu said that the problem of misuse of sidewalks was actually clearly regulated in regional regulations. He referred to Regulation Number 8 of 2007 concerning Public Order.
In the regulation, it is stated that the public is prohibited from using the shoulder of the road or sidewalk outside of its actual function without having a permit from the governor. Then, Kevin emphasized that the enforcement apparatus of the regulation must implement the rules consistently.
"Therefore, Satpol PP must enforce discipline against illegal parking and street vendors who misuse the sidewalks in Jakarta by placing vehicles or trading on them. Don't let the comfort of pedestrians be disturbed," he said.
He added that discipline needed to be accompanied by a solution so that the problem would not recur. Kevin suggested that the DKI Provincial Government provide decent business space for PKL and improve the transportation and parking system.
"As a proactive step that can be taken to stop the practice of trading and parking illegally on the sidewalk, the DKI Provincial Government can build places to eat that can be occupied by street vendors," said Kevin.
"Meanwhile, the improvement of public transportation services and the construction of parking pockets in strategic locations also needs to be carried out so that the public has the option not to trade and park illegally on the sidewalk," he continued.
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