Bogor Police Investigate Extortion Practices At Merdeka Market By Thugs Under The Guise Of Mass Organizations

Merdeka Market In Bogor/ Photo: IST

Bogor City Police conducted an investigation into a number of mass organizations who made illegal levies (extortion) on street vendors (PKL) of Pasar Kota Bogor, West Java.

Information said that if there were extortion deposits from traders every day, the amount was Rp. 80,000-Rp. 100,000. The perpetrators are known to come from Bogor Regency, one of which is Lightning Village, Dramaga District.

A VOI source said that the two perpetrators with the initials JF and ENG were known as market thugs who were a combination of a number of mass organizations on behalf of a community.

The target of extortion is traders who sell on sidewalks and street clothes. In total there are 340 trades, most of which come from Bogor Regency.

The way the perpetrators do is meet directly with traders or stalls, three times a day with different people. They start at 03.00 WIB - 06.00 WIB.

Not only that, it is strongly suspected that there were other perpetrators from the Bogor City Government (Pemkot) who collected money from traders at the same location.

On that basis, the Bogor City Police conducted an investigation regarding extortion information at the Merdeka Market.

When confirmed by the Head of Bogor City Police, Kombes Bismo Teguh Prakoso admitted that he had ordered his staff to check extortion in the market.

"I have ordered the Criminal Investigation Unit to follow up on the information (extortion at Merdeka Market). It will deepen, investigate people who collect money from roadside traders or street vendors," said Bismo in his statement, Tuesday, September 17.

Now the police are hunting for JF and ENG who are suspected of being the perpetrators.