The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The administration of Central Jakarta municipality is seeking a new market site to relocate vendors of the famous Kwitang traditional book market in Senen district, Central Jakarta.

"We are still reviewing land status of some possible options," the municipality's mayor told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Muhayat promised the new location would not be too far away from the old market, saying the administration realized the traditional market was quite popular.

The traditional book market, established in the 1960s, is well-known as the best place to find used, old and pirated books for cheaper prices. Vendors run their businesses on the sidewalks and parts of the road without paying any rental fees to the city administration.

The administration is planning to relocate more than 300 vendors of the traditional market this year to reduce severe congestion in the area.

Head of Senen district, Hidayatullah, said he had proposed five locations for the relocation plan: two spots on Jl. Prapatan and three others on Jl. Kramat Lontar, Jl. Kramat Raya and Jl. Senen Raya.

He said the 3,000-square-meter site on Jl. Kramat Lontar would be the most suitable.

"Still, the final decision will depend on the mayor," he said.

Vendors and customers had mixed reactions on the eviction plan.

A vendor, Wijang, said he would not resist eviction but demanded the administration prepare the relocation plan carefully.

"I hope the city administration will provide us with a new place so we can continue our businesses," he said.

Another vendor Gunawan hoped that the city administration would find a new location not too far from the old market.

"I hope the new location will be strategic, or else I'm afraid we'll lose our customers," said the 37-year-old man who first heard about the relocation plan from his customers.

Rahman, a vendor who started his book business 20 years ago, expressed disbelief in hearing about the eviction.

"This place is already well-known. I think the government can't be serious about evicting us," said the 58-year-old man.

A customer, Mulyati, from Bekasi, West Java, said she often brought her children to Kwitang book market to buy used school textbooks.

"It will be hard for us to find cheap books if the vendors are really evicted," said the 45-year-old woman Sunday.

Mulyati, who came with her two children, was looking for a book about former president Soeharto.

"I couldn't find the book in the bookstore, so I came here to get the used one," she added.

Another customer, Hardi, 37, said she did not agree with the administration's plan to evict the vendors.

"This market is like a book warehouse offering knowledge to everyone," she said. (dia)

  The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While many rattan vendors have dismantled their stalls under the Ahmad Yani bypass in Central Jakarta, dozens of ceramics vendors continue to defy a city administration eviction order.

Ceramics vendor Ambet Narapnarap said he was worried about the eviction notice but was happy customers were still visiting his stall.

"I am not sure what I will do if the officials demolish my stall," he said.

After receiving warning letters on Jan. 14 and 21 from the Cempaka Putih administration, Ambet and several other ceramics vendors traveled to City Hall last Tuesday to demand a meeting with the Central Jakarta administration.

"But we are yet to receive any information about the meeting," he said, adding that the municipality promised the vendors they would not be evicted until the meeting was held.

He said the vendors wanted to negotiate the amount of compensation they would receive as well as discussing relocation plans.

"All we want is to sit down together and talk about the eviction plan," said Ambet, who has been running his business under the bypass for 30 years.

Rattan sellers under the bypass did not complain after receiving eviction notices and compensation payments last Friday.

On Friday, 22 vendors dismantled their makeshift kiosks on Jl. Rawasari in Cempaka Putih. Only seven kiosks were left Monday.

Baban, a rattan vendor, said he decided to dismantle his 5×10 meter kiosk after receiving Rp 5 million in compensation (approximately US$530).

"What's the use of complaining? We don't want to create any commotion," he said.

He said he was sad knowing he would no longer run a business in the area. He said he would also miss his friends, who planned to return to their hometowns.

"Business was good due to our strategic location here."

Baban said he planned to set up a rattan kiosk in Pondok Gede, Bekasi, when he finished dismantling his plywood stall.

"But I don't know where the other vendors will reopen their businesses," the 32-year old said.

Aside from evicting 29 rattan vendors and 86 ceramics vendors, the municipality also plans to evict residents from 57 homes in the area so as a city park can be built.

The plan forms part of the city administration's plan to create more green areas in Jakarta.

The head of the municipality's parks subagency, Catharina Suryowati, said her office had not decided on the date for the eviction.

"We are still discussing the issue with officials from the municipality, the Cempaka Putih district and the public order subagency," she said. (ewd)