JAKARTA Since the 1970s, Pasar Barito on Jalan Barito, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, has been known as one of the oldest flora centers in the capital. The area, which was originally only a gathering place for bird traders and ornamental plants, gradually transformed into a legendary market that is crowded with Jakarta residents.
In the 1980s, Barito reached its golden age. Kicau birds, ornamental fish, and tropical plants fill the shady side of the road around Langsat Park. The atmosphere is cool, natural, and different from other traditional markets. Barito is not just a place to sell, but a living space for residents, flora lovers, to pet lovers.
However, over time, the face of the area changed. The South Jakarta City Government began to rearrange the area to restore the function of parks and sidewalks. The Mayor of South Jakarta, Muhammad Anwar, explained that this step was part of the park revitalization effort in accordance with its function as a green space and water catchment area.
"This park is one of the efforts of the Governor to revitalize the park according to its function," said Anwar in Jakarta, Monday, October 27.
He added that the park also acts as a flood control thanks to the connecting channel (PHB), as well as public facilities that must be returned according to the designation.
This control step was taken after traders at the Barito temporary location did not heed the warning letter from the South Jakarta Satpol PP. A total of 158 merchant stalls have been put under control since Monday morning at 05.00 WIB. The government emphasized that the policy was taken not without a solution.
Affected traders have prepared relocation locations at Sentra Fauna and Culinary Lenteng Agung. The new place is considered to have more appropriate facilities, hygienics, and easy access because it is close to Lenteng Agung Station and non-BRT Transjakarta bus stop on the D21 route.
"Satres have been given socialization and warning letters one to three. Because they also do not vacate the place of business, we carry out integrated control," said Anwar.
This step is related to the big plan of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to combine three parks in South Jakarta Leuser Park, Ayodya Park, and Langsat Park into an area called the Heritage Flag Park.
The project is targeted to be completed in December 2025 and is expected to provide a wider, orderly and functional green open space for city residents.
For some residents and traders, this control is the end of the long history of Barito Market which has lived for more than four decades. But for the government, this step is part of an effort to reorganize the city to be more environmentally friendly and functional.
Barito Market will probably live in names, but the smell of humid soil and boisterous birds lagging under Barito trees will always be a memory of the times when parks and markets coexist in the heart of South Jakarta.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
