TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rima, 70, was busy vacating her shop located at Komplek Ruko Kavling 36, Bendungan Hilir (Benhil), Central Jakarta. She was told to move her business on Sunday.

“[On Saturday], we were shortly notified to empty the shops by [Sunday],” Rima said on Sunday, August 30, adding that she had no choice but to comply and move stuffs to her house.

A total of 40 shops running for decades in the area will be demolished by market operator PD Pasar Jaya to build a modern market integrated with the Benhil Market across the street.

Rima, who had been doing business in Benhil since 1976, said that she had no idea what would be constructed in the area.

“We heard that it would be developed into a commercial area with hotels,” she added.

However, Rima expressed a disappointment that she and dozens of other vendors were asked to move without a solution. Rima said that she did not know where she would relocate her business.

“Maybe we will try to meet with PD Pasar Jaya to ask for a solution. We never missed to pay the rent,” she said.

Currently, the location has been surrounded by two-meter high zinc fences and guarded by police and military personnel. A number of vendors are still vacating the shops using pickup trucks.

NINIS CHAIRUNNISA