Joint personnel tore down tens of stalls belong to street vendors on Jalan Rawasari Selatan, Cempaka Putih Timur Urban Village, Cempaka Putih Sub-District, Central Jakarta, Monday (12/1). Those stalls are demolished because they hindered traffic flows, especially for fire trucks and dump trucks.

The street vendors were selling in a forbidden location. Moreover, their presence was hindering traffic flows in that area

Prior to the demolition process, Cempaka Putih Timur Urban Village party has repeatedly sent warning letters to the street vendors not to set up stalls on roadside. However, the officers’ persuasive effort was ignored.

“The street vendors were selling in a forbidden location. Moreover, their presence was hindering traffic flows in that area. We’ve socialized this prior to the demolition,” stated Head of Cempaka Putih Timur Urban Village, Ety Kusmiaty.

Based on beritajakarta.com observations, since 7 AM 20 officers from Cempaka Putih Timur Urban Village have begun to demolish the stalls which used to sell fruits, vegetables, clothes, food, and beverages. The remnants of the stalls were then transported into three dump trucks, while the stalls’ contents were brought to Satpol PP warehouse in Cakung, East Jakarta.

After the demolition, Satpol PP personnel will be deployed alternately to guard the one kilometer long road. It is conducted to anticipate the street vendors from returning to the location.

Meanwhile, Budi (40), one of the street vendors, protested the demolition. According to him, his activity all this time does not violate the law and done only to get lawful money.

“The officers should have given solution. Why prohibit people who just want to look for livelihood,” he lamented.