Diner closed over spatial bylaw

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 03/08/2008 12:11 PM | City

The South Jakarta municipal administration has shut down Dapoer Ciragil restaurant, located near the residence of South Jakarta Mayor Syahrul Effendi.

Deputy Mayor Budiman Simarmat said the restaurant had violated the city's spatial planning bylaw, which forbids business entities from operating in residential areas.

"A residential area is a place to live, not to run a business. Business activities bother people who live nearby," Budiman told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

He promised the restaurant was only the first of many businesses that would be closed down by the municipality.

Budiman said his office was preparing to order other business owners out of residential areas.

"But we cannot close their businesses immediately, because they need some time to relocate," he said.

Residential and business districts in Jakarta have become deeply integrated over the years because of the city's disregard for its spatial plan.

The owner of Dapoer Ciragil, Bagus Oka, questioned the motive for the shutting down of his business.

He suspected the municipal administration closed the restaurant, which is known for its grilled duck and chicken, because customers' cars clogged the street to the mayor's house.

"I think it was the mayor who filed the complaint about this," said Oka, as quoted by Detik.com.

He asked why the administration had not shut down other restaurants and cafes located in residential areas in South Jakarta.

"If they closed mine, why don't they close others?" he said.

Azas Tigor Nainggolan, from the Jakarta Residents Forum, said many businesses were allowed to open and remain open in residential areas because the officials who should be in charge of shutting them down accepted bribes from the owners.

"Such violations have taken place for years right in front of the eyes of the city officials, and they receive money from the violators," Tigor told the Post.

He said he supported the move to shut down Dapoer Ciragil, but urged the administration to apply the law to all businesses.

Budiman, however, denied the restaurant was closed at the behest of the mayor.

"That's not the reason. Actually, three neighborhood community groups filed complaints with us," he said.

"Besides, Oka did not have a license to build a restaurant. He only had a license from the Trade Ministry to establish a warehouse for food supplies. We warned him three months ago. We also had a few meetings with his representatives, but he ignored it," he said. (trw)

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