C

ity public order officers are back in town but no more bad guys this time.

Since the bloody riot in Koja, North Jakarta, which claimed three lives and injured more than 200 people last month, the public order officers (Satpol PP) have changed their approach in dealing with the capital law breakers, which are mostly marginalized people such as street vendors, slum dwellers and beggars.

"Now they don't come yelling and attacking our carts, they just observe us and tell us nicely *to obey the rule*," said street vendor Sadikin in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

In addition to the new soft approach, people have reported the officers are on duty less.

"Now, they only come every two days, not every day like they used to," another vendor, Baharuddin, said.

These hawkers realize that the change happened after the agency had their lessons from the Koja incident.

Satpol PP clashed with Koja residents last month in a shrine complex of Mbah Priuk, regarded as a prominent Muslim leader in Koja, after the locals were upset with the administration's decision to clear the area. The clash killed three public order officers and injured more than 200 people. The tragedy generated a mass protest against Satpol PP, notorious for its heavy-handed approach to its duties.

The public and social analysts demanded the agency to be dissolved right away after the riot, considering that their operations have been deemed as violating human rights.

Believing that the city still needs local law enforcers, Governor Fauzi Bowo responded to the protest by suspending the agency for a week and naming Effendi Anas as the agency's new head to replace Harianto Badjoeri.

"We will undertake law enforcement based on the existing legal procedures," Effendi said after his inauguration at the city hall.

He has also promised more persuasive approaches in enforcing the city's bylaws.

No one knew exactly what Effendy meant at that time because he did not elaborate, but a letter sent to Yogi, 28, a beverage seller in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, explained the meaning.

"Imagine they gave me a letter signed by the *South Jakarta* mayor, telling us to stop our selling activity," Yogi said in amazement.

He said during his five-year street vending, he never received any notification letter like that.

He was also aware of the change with the public officers, who he said were more polite than before. "Their approach is much nicer this time," he said.

However, Yogi shared another concern regarding the content of the letter.

"*The letter* says there were to be no street vendors any longer in this *South Jakarta* area starting May 28," Yogi said, adding that he felt more restless because he had no idea what would happen on that day.

"I just hope I will not become unemployed," he said.

Street vendors in the capital's main districts are prohibited under the bylaw, considering that their existence disrupts the public order.

It is one of public order agency's jobs to ensure they leave the city.