Menteri Teten Ungkap Penyebab Pasar Tanah Abang Sepi Pembeli, Begini Penjelasannya

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (Menkop UKM) Teten Masduki. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (Menkop UKM) Teten Masduki asked the public not to accuse traders at Tanah Abang Market of not transforming into a digital ecosystem.

Teten emphasized that the traders have tried to sell on all digital platforms or online.

However, these traders' products are still less competitive with imported goods that are sold very cheaply.

"So, indeed, traders like Tanah Abang Market should not be accused of not transforming online, they have (done), but it must be admitted that there are products from outside that are so cheap for sale with predatory pricing (selling-loss) in the marketplace so that local products cannot compete," said Teten in a recording of the Public Relations of the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs received by VOI, Thursday, September 21.

After visiting Tanah Abang Market some time ago, Teten admitted that he was called by a clothing manufacturer from Bandung.

In the conversation, said Teten, the producers complained that they could no longer produce, because local products were getting less and more competitive.

"Only the ones who save them a little are because this is the political season, so (they) can still make party clothes," he said.

Teten said he would make a visit to Bandung in the near future to hear directly the complaints of clothing manufacturers there.

"Maybe (day) Sunday will be there," he added.

As previously reported, a number of traders at Tanah Abang Market, Jakarta, complained about their declining sales recently.

They also protested and asked the government to close the TikTok Shop.

This was revealed by them to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (Menkop UKM) Teten Masduki during a visit to Tanah Abang Market, on Tuesday afternoon, September 19.

Anton (36), one of the traders at Tanah Abang Market, said TikTok Shop had greatly harmed traders in Tanah Abang.

This is because the prices offered on the platform are very cheap compared to the Tanah Abang mall and Pasar.

"Yes, asking the Minister for help, online shop, TikTok which is very influential for traders here, can (help find a solution)," Anton told reporters.

He considered that the price on TikTok Shop was very cheap and unreasonable.

Another trader named Anggi (31) also complained about the same thing.

He asked the government to immediately close the TikTok Shop because it made its sales turnover drop dramatically.

"The turnover was reduced by 80-90 percent. Usually my (income) is Rp. 40-50 million, now it's difficult to get Rp. 1 million," he said.