Jakarta to tear down Koja Baru market today

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 01/28/2009 9:37 AM  |  Jakarta

The Jakarta administration deployed hundreds of public order officers and two excavators to tear down Koja Baru market in North Jakarta on Wednesday, tempointeraktif.com reported.

The officers have been seen gathering around the market, apparently trying to surround the main building.

Market vendors, who have rejected the renovation plan favored by city-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya, said they were ready to fight the officers.

"We are on stand by and we are still doing business," Lamhot Siboro, head of the market's vendors association, said.

Vendors have demanded the operator postpone renovations for up to five years, cancel plans for a multi-storey building and renegotiate the price of units, set to go into effect after renovations are completed.

For several years, conflict has arisen between market operators and vendors concerning renovation plans for several city markets, including Blok M market in South Jakarta, Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta and Rawa Bening market in East Jakarta. (dre)

Link: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/01/28/jakarta-tear-down-koja-baru-market-today.html