APPSI Brings Bad News: Over 1,000 Merchants Close Kiosk In Jakarta Market Because They Can't Pay Rent

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Market Traders (APPSI) revealed that more than 1,000 stalls were closed at the Jakarta Market. APPSI believes that the closing of the kiosk was due to the fact that traders could no longer afford to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

APPSI representative Robi said the closing of the stalls raised questions. Whether traders are unable to compete with other traders or the cost of the kiosks is there no reduction from the manager during this COVID-19 pandemic.

"Today's market conditions. I will take the example of PD Pasar Jaya DKI Jakarta, today there are more than 1,000 empty stalls, in Jakarta itself. We take samples from two markets, namely Pasar Enjo and Pasar Klender SS," he said in a hearing meeting with Commission VI, Tuesday. , September 14th.

Furthermore, Robi said, after observing there were illegal traders selling outside the market area. This means, he said, it is not traders who are unable to compete in the market, but the cost of renting kiosks that have not decreased from the management.

"However, outside the area is crowded. This means that this raises the question, are these traders unable to pay or unable to compete inside. If I take the conclusion, that these illegal traders are unable to pay for kiosks in this pandemic situation ," he said.

Therefore, APPSI asked the DPR to coordinate with Pasar Jaya to encourage traders who sell outside the market area to return to selling at stalls inside the market.

"Sir, you can check at Enjo Market and Klender Market, the market itself is quiet. But outside the area it's crowded," he said.

"That's why we ask that (we are invited back to sell inside) because we feel sorry for the traders who have paid for the kiosk, but people don't want to go to the market anymore because it's quiet," he continued.

On that occasion, Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the DPR RI, Martin Manurung, suggested that APPSI report this to the DKI Provincial DPRD. This is because the authority of the DPR is only about policy, not intervening in Pasar Jaya Jakarta.

"That can be conveyed to the DKI Provincial DPRD as well, sir, because our authority has not even reached the point of intervening in the glorious market, if the contents of the policy were said by the general chairman it is still possible but if it comes to the regulation of the glorious market, you will convey it to the DKI Jakarta Provincial DPRD so that later We are clear about their powers," said Martin.