TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of traders began to occupy the stalls at the Multipurpose Pedestrian Bridge (JPM) or Tanah Abang Skybridge, Central Jakarta, Monday, December 10. Starting at 8:00 a.m., dozens of traders appeared to have opened their stalls.

“We will be trading here, starting today,” said Ramadhan, a 40-year-old trader, when met on Monday morning.

Ramadan said that he had just received the key of the stall this morning. Previously, he traded on the side of Jalan Abdul Muis, Tanah Abang. He hurried after getting information about the relocation of the stalls last night, Sunday 9 December.

Ramadhan said the stalls began to be rented as of this December by paying the use rights of Rp500,000 per month. Herlina Agustina, another trader, stated the same thing. “I rent for half a million a month,” she said.

According to them, the rental cost must be paid to PD Sarana Jaya through Bank DKI. They said that there would be no illegal levies besides the rental cost.

They admitted that the rules for trading in the Skybridge are more stringent and organized compared to when they trade on Jalan Abdul Muis. At present, each trader must use an identity card distributed from Tanah Abang Sub-district when trading.

The card contains the name of the street vendor (PKL), residence address, and stall number. They got the card when taking the serial number of the stall in Tanah Abang Sub-district some time ago. “With a whisk system, in the sub-district,” Herlina said.

According to Herlina, Tanah Abang Skybridge stalls will operate from 05:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Towards the evening, she said, the skybridge door would be closed.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA