DKI Regional Secretary Ensures That The Tanah Abang Market Block G Is Revitalized, But Don't Know When

Blok G Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta on Thursday 27 September 2023. (Diah A-VOI)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Regional Secretary (Sekda) Joko Agus Setyono ensured that the Tanah Abang Market Block G, Central Jakarta, which is now neglected, will be revitalized.

Joko revealed that the revitalization plan that has stalled due to COVID-19 has been finalized with Perumda Pasar Jaya as the market manager BUMD.

"Yes, so, it (Blok G Tanah Abang was revitalized). Several times we have discussed, we just have to finalize it," Joko told reporters, Wednesday, September 27.

However, Joko could not confirm when the revitalization of Blok G Tanah Abang, which was inaugurated by Joko Widodo while serving as Governor of DKI Jakarta, would be carried out.

"When it comes to time, I haven't asked the President Director of Pasar Jaya," said Joko.

Joko hopes that the revitalization of Blok G Tanah Abang will again attract people to shop in the area.

Moreover, the DKI Provincial Government will also develop the Tanah Abang trade center as a transit-oriented transit area (TOD) that is integrated with public transportation nodes.

"We will make a concept so that people will be interested in Tanah Abang. And that's where the TOD area is. Later when it's TOD, I think it's crowded alone," he explained.

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 visited the location on Friday, September 22.

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What is more burdensome, traders still have to pay the market levy withdrawn by Pasar Jaya.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.