'Invade' Drivers With Nuts, Water And Cemilan During The Red Light, The Mataram Social Service Will Order Hawkers

Head of the Mataram City Social Service (Dinsos) Sudirman. (Photo: ANTARA/Nirkomala)

MATARAM - The Social Service of Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara Province, immediately curbed the activities of hawkers who were indicated to be people with social welfare problems at a number of crossroads, disrupting traffic activity. "The presence of hawkers at a number of crossroads can be indicated as people with social welfare problems," said Head of the Mataram City Social Service (Dinsos) Sudirman, in Mataram, Antara, Tuesday, March 7. The reason is, when traffic lights turn red, a number of traders flock to motorists, both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, stop. "Meanwhile, there are almost no reports from the social task force, street children's activities, homeless people, and beggars at a number of intersections. But it is precisely what hawkers often appear," he said. These hawkers peddle various merchandise such as crackers, boiled bananas, nuts, tissue, water, snacks, and other accessories, so that they are considered to interfere with traffic activities and are dangerous for traders. Related to that, he said, to control the activities of these traders, it is necessary to carry out joint operations with related regional apparatus organizations (OPD). For example, Satpol PP, the Transportation Service, and the Trade Office. "For self-control, we have done it with an approach, but they come back again. Even though we have suggested that they sell to markets or other strategic places, not on the road," he said. According to Sudirman, the average merchants who are disciplined are residents from outside Mataram City, even for the crackers they come from Palembang, South Sumatra Province. "They did come specifically to Mataram to sell crackers, and live temporarily in boarding houses. So even though they have been put in order, they return to the road," he said. Therefore, he said, to provide a deterrent effect to traders, it is necessary to control it with an integrated team. "God willing, in the near future we will coordinate with the relevant OPD," he said.