Commission II Of The DPR Asks Local Government To Provide Balance Of Rules And Protection For Tanah Abang Street Vendors

Bus Stop In Tanah Abang Turned Into A Clothing Lapak/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - Commission II of the DPR encourages the Government to commit to maintaining a balance of rules and protection for Street Vendors (PKL) in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta who sell along the sidewalks. This is in the aftermath of the alleged extortion committed by a group of thugs.

"In this matter, we at the DPR encourage the Government to adopt a wise approach in dealing with this. Create a continuity between the regulatory approach and protection for traders," said member of Commission II of the DPR RI, Mardani Ali Sera, Friday, November 3.

Previously, it was known that a group of thugs harassed up to Rp. 5 million to street vendors who were selling on the sidewalk. This incident happened to street vendors selling along Jalan KH Mas Mansyur, to be precise across from Citywalk Sudirman, Karet Tengsin Village, Tanah Abang District, Central Jakarta.

Reflecting on the incident, Mardani encouraged protection for street vendors who were intimidated by thugs. He stressed that the police must move quickly to find the perpetrators of the burglary.

"Protecting traders is something that must be done. Police officers must be able to provide a sense of security, protect every trader who feels aggrieved because of the presence of thugs," he said.

Mardani regretted the conversion of sidewalks made to sell. Even so, he considered that local governments needed attention to provide facilities for traders to sell.

"The traders are caught in a difficult situation because they sell in areas that violate the rules, which makes them vulnerable to being exploited by irresponsible parties to extort profits with illegal levies," said Mardani.

Therefore, the legislator from the DKI Jakarta electoral district I asked the Government to provide a viable alternative for traders to sell. For example, said Mardani, by providing a place to sell in a strategic location.

"The sidewalk in Tanah Abang is vulnerable to being converted to trading because this area is indeed a center for buying and selling which is quite well known to buyers and traders. So there must be an alternative place to support this effort," he said.

Meanwhile, the local government through the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) is reminded to carry out control with a humanist approach without harming traders. Mardani said a humanist policy would show the authority of regional leaders.

"A fair and unrepressive supervision is also considered very important to prevent tensions in the field. So the transfer of traders on the sidewalks can run conducively," said Mardani.

To keep sidewalks free from traders, Mardani explained that the first step that must be taken by the government is to provide socialization and education to traders about the importance of complying with regulations and maintaining city order.

"The government can cooperate with NGOs and community organizations to organize an effective socialization program that trading on the sidewalks violates the regional regulation because it is not in accordance with the designation," he said.

It's just that, according to Mardani, the local government cannot just let go of the fate of small traders. Moreover, these street vendors also play a very important role for the general public, especially those who fall into the lower middle class category.

"Help these street vendors with fair and wise rules. Because often the civil is in the details. Meanwhile, in terms of extortion, there must be rules, agencies and officers who can help people fight extortion that greatly damage people's competitiveness," he said.

Mardani also reminded the Government to understand that solving the problem of traders on the sidewalk requires time and cooperation from various parties.

"Through a sustainable approach, by combining socialization, alternative offers, legal control, and open dialogue, it is hoped that sidewalks can return to being a safe and comfortable place for pedestrians while ensuring the sustainability of livelihoods for traders selling in street vendors," concluded Mardani.