Tanah Abang Market Faces Rp200bn Loss due to Riot

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The economic activity in Tanah Abang Market went down following the riot that spread to the area. The anarchy started from the mob in front of the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu), Jalan M.H. Thamrin, on Tuesday, May 21, and moved to Tanah Abang until Petamburan, Slipi.

The market operator PD Pasar Jaya decided to close the shopping center to avoid any impact from the riot. Moreover, the police and the mob clashed on the market’s main route, Jalan Jati Baru.

PD Pasar Jaya president director, Arief Nasrudin, said the loss from the closure was estimated to reach Rp200 billion, based on the market daily turnover.

Arief asked for the police's help for the security measure. “Block A and Block B are guarded by 160 officers and extra 100 Military (TNI) personnel,” he said on Wednesday, May 22, adding that 49 law enforcers stood guard at Block F and 9 officers at Block G.

Almost all road access to Tanah Abang Market was off limit following the riot. Jalan KH Mas Mansyur that is commonly clogged by vehicles was empty yesterday. Only a number of the private vehicle was seen passing the area heading to Cideng, Karet, or Slipi.

The mass staged a rally in front of the Bawaslu headquarter after the Election Commission (KPU) announced the final tally that showed Jokowi - Ma’ruf Amin won the 2019 presidential election on early Tuesday. They considered the election fraudulent and demanded Bawaslu run investigation.

FRANSISCO ROSARIANS ENGA GEKEN

Read: Mob Beaten Back by Police, Currently at Tanah Abang Area