The Sidewalk Of Plaju Road And Kebon Melati River In Tanah Abang Is Controlled By Street Vendors

Sidewalks On Plaju Road And Kebon Melati River, Tanah Abang/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - A number of street vendors (PKL) control the sidewalks and shoulders of Plaju Street and Gerong River, Kebon Melati Village, Tanah Abang District, Central Jakarta.

From observations at the location, sidewalks on Jalan Plaju and Sungai Gerong stand a street vendor stall that was built into a semi-permanent building. As a result, sidewalks that should be used as pedestrians become trading places.

One of the traders who refused to be named admitted that he had obtained permission to hold his merchandise. The permit was obtained from the local RT and RW.

"We are allowed to trade here by the local RT and RW. Every month we deposit Rp. 250 thousand and once a year Rp. 1.5 million per year. The money is collected on behalf of the local RT and RW," said one of the traders who declined to be named, Tuesday, August 27.

Meanwhile, the Head of Kebon Melati Village, Ikhsan Kamil, said that his party had been given a warning letter (SP) to traders. Indeed, the existence of traders violates the rules by placing merchandise on the sidewalk, especially building with semi-permanent buildings.

"We have SP. Indeed, the sidewalk is used for pedestrians. In the future, we ask traders to trade not to build on the canal but only use carts so as not to disturb pedestrians," he said.

Ikhsan said, if you really want to be disciplined, there must be a shelter location for traders. If you really want to be placed in a temporary location (Loxem) fostered by the Sub-Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (PPKUKM).

"If they are placed there, it will be quiet, where there are traders who will come out again to where they originally traded. So later we will direct them to trade using carts and there should be no semi-permanent buildings," he said.

Ikhsan also said that regarding the levies mentioned by traders, his party would follow up on the report. The purpose of the levy requested from the merchant must be clear.

"We will check whether it is true or not, if it is true what the money is for. If there is no purpose, it means that it is illegal levies," he said.