Koja Sub-District Satpol PP personnel tore down hundreds of street vendors’ stalls along Jalan Bendungan Melayu, RW 01, Rawa Badak Selatan Urban Village, Koja Sub-District, North Jakarta, Monday (8/4). The operation which started at 9.30 AM run smoothly without resistance from the street vendors.

We have given them chance from Friday until Sunday to demolish their own stalls. But, they ignored it. Thus, we had to do demolition forcibly today

Commander of Koja Sub-District Satpol PP, Siti Mulyati, said that her party has repeatedly controlled those vendors and warned them not to trade in that location. However, the street vendors still recklessly set up stalls there.

“ We have given them chance from Friday until Sunday to demolish their own stalls. But, they ignored it. Thus, we had to do demolition forcibly today ,” she stated.

To anticipate street vendors from setting up stalls again on Jalan Bendungan Melayu, a team will be deployed permanently in that location. With that, street vendors are expected not to trade more than 9 AM.

Head of Koja Sub-District, Rahmat Effendi, explained that the street vendors were actually had been offered to be relocated to Walang Baru Market on Jalan Alur Laut. But, they rejected it due to the market is deserted from buyers. Instead, they asked for market construction near Jalan Bendungan Melayu. However, it is likely hard to be realized because of limited land available.

“As an alternative, we give them chance to trade until 9 AM without setting up stalls,” he told.