1,700 Traders Start Occupying Mardika Market Ambon, Governor Asks Kapolda-Pangdam To Routine Monitor Prevent Extortion

Illustration of illegal levies aka extortion. (Pixabay)

Maluku Governor Murad Ismail warned that illegal levies (extortion) would no longer be charged to traders in the new building of Mardika Market Ambon.

"After operating the new Mardika Market building, I hope it will no longer be certain individuals or groups who are looking for their own benefits by committing extortion," he said during the opening of the operation of the new Mardika Market building, in Ambon, Thursday, April 18, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said that the extortion that occurred in traders indirectly burdened the traders, resulting in an increase in the price of basic goods.

Extortion, he continued, should not have happened if no one took advantage of the opportunity to withdraw unofficial levies from traders.

"Don't be afraid of groups that withdraw tribute from traders, immediately report if someone commits extortion," he said.

Governor Murad also asked the Maluku Police Chief and Pangdam XVI Pattimura to jointly carry out surveillance in the market.

"I ask the Kapolda and Pangdam to together with the regional government to always monitor the market, it's a pity that traders don't because of the impact of the extortion, the price of goods has risen suddenly," he said.

Murad also hopes that traders and the people who visit to maintain the cleanliness, security and comfort of the market.

"Make Mardika Market a market icon in Maluku, because it belongs to the market with the national standard category in Indonesia," he said.

A total of 1,700 traders began to occupy the new building of the Mardika Market in Ambon City with modern traditional market designs.

1,700 traders occupy four floors of market buildings that accommodate vegetable, fish, meat, fruits and traders selling clothes and other basic necessities,

The construction of Mardika Market uses a total budget of IDR 134.8 billion with an area of 808.196 m2, the building area of 20.171 m2 which can accommodate 1,700 traders.

The project was carried out by BUMN PT Wijaya Karya, with building and construction management by PT Ciriajasa Cipta Mandi.