B

ird traders at Barito market in South Jakarta and Pramuka market in Central Jakarta questioned the city administration's plan to move the markets to help curb the spread of bird flu, as there has never been a case of the disease recorded in the markets.

The vendors said that they might not have any choice if the administration asks them to move to other location, although they had yet to be officially informed about the relocation. They say they have no reason to move.

"We have heard about the plan several times, but it is only rumor. There has not been any information about it. But what can we do if the administration asks us to move," Heri, coordinator of traders at the Pramuka bird market, said.

The city's husbandry, fishery and maritime agency claimed to have previously informed the traders about the relocation, which might take place by 2010. Edy Setiarto, head of the agency, said possible new locations included Cibubur in East Jakarta and Ragunan in South Jakarta.

"But why should we move if we don't bother anyone in this area. We hope we are still allowed to stay here because we always keep this area clean," Heri said.

"Bird flu? There is no bird flu here. I think they *the administration* only made up the reason to move us from here," Sarpu, who has sold birds in Pramuka market since 1975, said.

Another trader, Istiana, said that traders in the market often ignored news about the spread of bird flu because they had not found any cases of the disease there.

"We no longer believe about bird flu. We only take it as a rumor, because we are fine here," she said.

"We are healthy even though some of us eat and sleep in the kiosks with the birds around us, because we always bathe the birds and clean the cages every morning," the woman, who has traded in the market for 10 years, said.

Nur, a bird trader at the Barito market said, "our sales drop every time there is news about bird flu. But fortunately, some of our loyal customers are not affected by such issues."

Traders in both markets said they were ready for relocation as long as the administration has a clear plan.

They also asked the administration to provide appropriate and accessible locations for them. They said they had many loyal customers in their current locations and it would be hard for them to maintain the customers if they were relocated.