Glodok Membludak and Marak Parkir Liar Ahead of Chinese New Year, Rano Karno: That's the uniqueness of Jakarta 

Glodok Chinatown area / ANTARA FOTO/Muhammad Adimaja

JAKARTA - The Glodok Chinatown Market area, West Jakarta, has begun to be crowded with visitors ahead of the Chinese New Year celebration. This density is followed by rampant illegal parking and traders who use pedestrians to sell.

Responding to this condition, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno emphasized that he would not impose a rigid ban, but rather arrange it so that activities would continue without disturbing the flow of visitors.

"That's the uniqueness of Jakarta, friends. From one angle, Mr. Gub himself hopes that there should be no selling on the pedestrian. But Jakarta is unique like that," said Rano at the HI roundabout area, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, February 11.

Rano admitted that Glodok has its own characteristics as an old trading area that lives from direct interaction between traders and buyers, especially during big day momentum such as Chinese New Year.

"We arrange, not that we forbid, we arrange so what? The distribution of the line is not disturbed. The point is that. We know that Glodok is very specific in its characteristics, it is like that, but that is life there," he said.

The arrangement in question is focused on the smooth circulation of visitors and vehicles, including the control of illegal parking so as not to hinder access to and from the area.

The Provincial Government also believes that traders and residents around are ready to cooperate during the arrangement for the common good.

"But I am very confident that they are ready to be regulated. What are we regulating for? Launching it. I am very confident that the people of Jakarta will be ready to cooperate for that," he said.

"This means that if there are many tourist visits, it is disturbed by the area, perhaps the sales value or trade is also hampered. So the point is like that," he added.