Approaching fasting month, Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta, is going chaotic again with the presence of street vendors selling on roadsides and vehicles parking haphazardly. To regulate the traffic, Jakarta Transportation Department sent 40 officers to the area.

Indeed, the number of visit to Tanah Abang is increasing ahead of fasting month. That’s why since two weeks ago we’re doing operation against illegal parking to minimize traffic congestion in the area

“ Indeed, the number of visit to Tanah Abang is increasing ahead of fasting month. That’s why since two weeks ago we’re doing operation against illegal parking to minimize traffic congestion in the area ,” stated Head of Jakarta Transportation Department, Muhammad Akbar, to beritajakarta.com, Wednesday (6/25).

Akbar admitted that the amount of officers deployed is still lacking to parse congestion around Tanah Abang Market. But, they are put on standby in every junction.

Although parking lots have been provided around the largest textile wholesale center in Indonesia, drivers’ awareness in obeying traffic regulations is still low because they are still parking their vehicles on roadsides. This can be seen from thousands of tire valves removed in two weeks of operation.

“Thousands of tire valves had been removed. But, it is the public that is still indiscipline. What else can we do? Moreover, the street vendors are also contributing to traffic congestion. For that, we’ll coordinate with Jakarta Satpol PP,” he uttered.

Commenting on motorcycle-taxi (ojek) drivers based on roadsides, Akbar said that it is a dilemma to control them.

“If those ojek drivers controlled, they would be difficult to meet daily needs. So, we’re having trouble in controlling them,” he expressed.

Regarding public transports based haphazardly, Akbar said that it happens because of the rental fee system regime applied by public transport management. As a result, public transport drivers pick up and drop off passengers arbitrarily.