Jokowi`s Handling of Tanah Abang Considered Better Than Anies

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The policy on handling Tanah Abang implemented by former Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is better than that of the current Governor Anies Baswedan, according to an expert.

Public policy expert Agus Pambagio explained that Jokowi relocated street vendors (PKL) to Tanah Abang Market on Block G Tanah Abangand strictly prohibited them to sell their goods on the streets and sidewalks.

“Relocating (street vendors) to Block G (Market) is the right move because the lane (Jatibaru Street) is congested," Agus Pambagio said on Saturday (23/12). "If it is closed, where do people go?”

In the concept of Tanah Abang revamp of the first stage, Anies Baswedan and Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno closed Jatibaru Raya Street located in front of Tanah Abang Station from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. It works on both lanes leading to Kebon Jati Street and vice versa.

Private and public vehicles are banned from crossing the street on the designated time. For ten hours daily, one-way lane of Jatibaru Raya Street going to Kebon Jati Street is made a place for street vendors (PKL) who previously sold their goods on the sidewalks. Meanwhile the other lane is for Transjakarta bus as a replacement for other public transportations that used to pass through the area.

Agus even stated that Anies’ policy of using the road for street vendors violates Law No. 22 of 2009 on Traffic and Transportation.

Article 28 Paragraph 1 of the law mentions that everyone is prohibited from committing any acts that can cause damage and/or disruption to the function of the road. Paragraph 2 states that everyone is prohibited from any acts that tamper the function of street apparatus.

Agus continued that in Article 275 paragraph 1, it is stated that everyone causes disruption to the function of traffic lights, signs, pedestrian facilities and road users safety apparatus as referred to in Article 28 paragraph 2 is charged with at least one month imprisonment or a fine as much as Rp 250 thousand.

“The policy is absurd (Anies Baswedan’s policy in Tanah Abang). If you want to sell goods, do it in the market, not on the streets,” Agus Pambagio said.

In the meantime, transportation expert from Indonesia Transportation Community Deddy Herlambang agrees with Agus that selling goods on the streets is against the law, unless for certain events such as car free day.

“Yes, It is not allowed to sell things on the streets because it is against the law,” he said on Saturday (23/12).

Deddy said that Anies Baswedan’s policy violated Article 12 of Law No. 38 of 2004 on Streets. In the first article of the law, it is mentioned that everyone is prohibited from committing acts that pose disturbance to the function of the streets in terms of the benefits of the space.

Meanwhile in Article 2, everyone is prohibited from committing acts that cause disturbance to the function of the street in the street space, while Article 3 mentions that everyone is prohibited from committing acts that cause disturbance to the function of the street in the observation space.

As a result, both Agus and Deddy demanded Jakarta administration to review the policy that was of immediate effect on Friday (22/12) because it harms people.

“People who are disadvantaged by the policy can take this matter to court,” Agus said.

M ROSSENO AJI