Street Vendors Return to Monas, Again
Translator
Editor
Selasa, 26 Agustus 2014 17:04 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The recent crackdown against street vendors at the National Monument (Monas) park seems to have failed to yield deterrent effects on the vendors as they continue to occupy several spots inside and outside of it.
Supriyanto, a ketupat (rice cones) seller, 53, said he was among the vendors relocated in the city administration’s last crackdown, yet he decided to return to Monas. “I’ve been here since 1995. Crackdowns are normal,” he told Tempo at Monas on Monday, August 25, 2014.
Supriyanto said he was comfortable selling ketupat at Monas despite having to be arrested by the city’s public order personnel during crackdowns.
Monas Management Unit chief Rini Haryani said she had repeatedly attempted to clear the area of street vendors, but to no avail. She said the vendors had always found a way to return to the park, including by dressing as a soldier and jumped over the fence at night.
“Not all security personnel have the guts to reprimand them, and sometimes the vendors are scarier than us,” she said.
Rini said she had coordinated with multiple parties to launch yet another crackdown against the street vendors at the park.
DEWI SUCI RAHAYU
