The Situation Of Tanah Abang Market Like A Cusut Thread: Trotoire Becomes A Illegal Parking Field, Traders Are Charged With Extortion

Tanah Abang Market Situation, Central Jakarta/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - The sidewalks in the Tanah Abang Market area, Central Jakarta, have again become illegal parking lots for two-wheeled vehicles and street vendors (PKL). The condition of the sidewalks is complained of by a number of pedestrians and motorists.

Lastri (29), one of the pedestrians of sidewalk users, regretted that sidewalks had changed their function to sell motorbikes and parking.

"Just look at it, starting from Jalan Jati Baru, Fahrudin and Wahid Hasyim, the condition of the sidewalks and traffic is very chaotic," said Lastri in the Tanah Abang Market area, Thursday, October 13.

The same thing was also said by Adam (36), another pedestrian. He is disappointed with the increasingly unorganized condition of the Tanah Abang Market area. Even though the arrangement in the area is routinely carried out by the DKI Provincial Government.

But at this time, the condition of the sidewalk has again turned into a motorcycle parking area and where traders hold their stalls.

"This function of the sidewalk has changed its function a lot. Here, officers from both Satpol PP and Transportation are also not involved in guarding the Tanah Abang Market area," he said.

On the other hand, one of the traders around Blok A Tanah Abang Market admitted that he had to spend Rp. 60 thousand so he could sell. The money is a payment for security services that he pays daily to thugs, aka illegal levies (pugli).

"If you don't give it, you definitely can't trade. Every trader here gives the money differently, some even reach Rp. 100,000," said the merchant, who did not want his identity to be identified.