Merchants Complain About Blok G Tanah Abang Market: Abandoned Buildings, Quiet Buyers, But Still Mandatory To Pay Retribution

Atmosphere At Tanah Abang Market, Friday, September 22/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - The atmosphere of Blok G Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta is suddenly crowded. Not because there are many buyers, but this market was visited by a group of PDIP factions of the DKI Jakarta DPRD during the day.

For a long time, Blok G Tanah Abang has been empty of buyers. This condition was also complained by a number of traders to the PDIP faction of the DKI DPRD who arrived at the market.

Observations at the location, kiosks in Block G in the front row of the building are still occupied by selling traders. However, very few buyers came to these kiosks. When entering the market, it turns out that many kiosks are also closed.

A number of lights in the inner kiosk alley of Block G, both on the 1, 2, and 3 floors, were turned off. Many wall paints were unfolded. However, there are still few traders who survive inside.

What is more burdensome, traders still have to pay the market levy withdrawn by Pasar Jaya. In fact, Pasar Jaya has also attached a warning letter to pay for the cost of managing the market to closed kiosks.

"Indeed, the problem with traders is that the conditions are quiet, but they are still being asked for levies. They do have an obligation but when the business is not running, there needs to be compensation," said Chairman of the PDIP faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Gembong Warsono in Blok G Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, Friday, September 22.

Apart from being abandoned by buildings, skybridges in the Tanah Abang area are also one of the reasons why buyers are reluctant to visit Block G. This is because the skybridge only connects access to Block A, Block B, and Block F.

Perumda Pasar Jaya as the manager has discussed revitalizing Block G to attract buyers more to visit kiosks there. However, it is not clear when the revitalization will take place.

"Skybridge is not connected to block G. This is actually a revitalization plan, right. But the revitalization plan has not been executed. The problem is there," said Gembong.

Therefore, Gembong said that his party would ask the DKI Provincial Government and Pasar Jaya for an explanation regarding the solution so that Blok G Tanah Abang would again attract buyers.

"Because this is the official visit of the PDIP faction to Tanah Abang Market, as a result of this visit, we will take and order Komisi B friends to investigate in detail, then withdraw them to the factions to find a way out with the DKI Provincial Government," he added.