Wet Markets Launch: Jakarta, West Java

By Barrie | June 22nd, 2007 | No Comments

Forget the common image of traditional markets as dirty, muddy and smelly. These days, the comforts of the modern hypermarket are finding their way into the capital’s wet markets. But some traders are complaining they have been shifted to areas where they have little chance of doing good business.

Governor Sutiyoso officially launched three newly renovated traditional markets: Santa Market and Bukit Duri Market in South Jakarta, and Cakung Market in East Jakarta according to the article in the Jakarta Post.

Each of the three markets have been reorganized into neat, clean rows with traders divided up by the goods on offer.

The renovations, which will be a pilot project for other city markets, cost Rp 32.79 billion (US$3.64 million). The city administration plans to renovate 55 other traditional markets in 2007-2008.

Sutiyoso said in his speech that traditional markets were facing tough competition from supermarkets and mini markets offering better service and facilities.

“It’s about time to change the image of wet markets as dirty and stuffy,” he said.

A local resident and long-time shopper at Santa Market, Sari, said she was happy with the renovation of the market, which was completed four months ago.

“The market used to be dirty and muddy, it made me not want to go further inside,” the 43-year-old said.

Despite the renovations, many kiosks remained empty and most traders complained of slow business.

“There aren’t many visitors coming to the new place,” said Rika, who sells clothes at the market.

She said the market building was much better than before, but the number of visitors had dropped.

“I hope the number of visitors will increase after the launch ceremony,” she said.

Uki, 32, a tofu trader, said his income had continued to drop after he moved to his new market stall four months ago.

“I used to get up to Rp 400,000 (about US$44) a day, but now it’s hard to get even Rp 200,000 a day,” he said.

Traders at Bukit Duri Market had similar complaints, saying their income had dropped since moving into the new building.

Traders also complained about the layout for the market decided by PD Pasar Jaya, the city market authority.

“The building is good but how could Pasar Jaya officials have placed us on the second floor while the clothing traders were placed on the first floor,” Supriati, 56, a vegetable trader, said.

She said that since many visitors were unwilling to go upstairs to buy vegetables, many traders, including herself, had decided to start selling behind the market building.

Supriati said she ran her business on the second floor for a month and a half, but suffered losses throughout that time.

“It’s useless to be trading in a beautiful building if only a few people are buying our things,” she said.