Sellers in the Monas Park

I was interested in writing this post –for Blue Monday- after watching television news about the raid of illegal sellers in the Monas Park (Jakarta, Indonesia) conducted last Sunday. The raid was performed by a joint team: Satpol PP from governor government, the military and police. The aim is to create Monas –a famous Jakarta icon- as a beautiful, comfortable and safe public space. Actually, the raids have been done many times but lots of sellers still dare to come again to sell there. I saw in the news, some traders fighted against and yelled at the officers, even few screaming hysterically. Hmm, who's breaking the rules here? Although their reasons are to make a living, the city rules must be obeyed.

 

No selling sign. image:news.detik.com

The inner part of the Monas Park should be clean from illegal sellers; the allowed selling spot is around its parking area. Since the parking area is already full of previous traders, new traders who found no place then chose to sell illegally in forbidden area –with the risk of being expelled by officers.

The Monas Park management was previously held by the gubernatorial government. Officers have been placed at various entrances, but they still missed. The head of Monas Park said once that many sellers posing as visitors, then others throw merchandise from outside the fence. Perhaps caused by overwhelmed in discipining illegal vendors, since January 2014, its management given to outsourcing party.

Hopefully there will be the best way for all related parties, as the organized, safe and comfortable Monas Park is the dream of most residents. The photos were taken during last visit to the park in November, 2013. I saw lots of vendors selling different stuffs such as toys, handicrafts, shirts, foods, beverages.