M

arket operator PD Pasar Jaya will reconstruct 12 of the existing 153 traditional markets this year to compete with retail hyper markets and minimarkets mushrooming in the city.

According to Alexander Yerris, PD Pasar Jaya’s financial and administrative director, the wet markets would be transformed into modern, convenient market squares.

The new markets would be reconstructed into a hangar-like market squares called pasar lingkungan, Alexander said.

“The construction of another 18 markets will start the following year [2014],” he said, as quoted by tempo.co, on Tuesday.

Two markets each in West, East, Central and South Jakarta and four in North Jakarta will be redeveloped.

The company reduced its target from 30 markets to 12 his year due to budget restraints.

“We have a budget of Rp 150 billion [US$15.46 million] for the project. Each market will cost up to Rp 10 billion,” Alexander said, adding that the company preferred the market square esthetic because of its simple, less costly construction.

“It would ensure good air circulation that would help us meet our aim to build a hygiene and convenient traditional market.”

The market squares are expected to accommodate between 150 and 300 stalls.

Pasar Jaya records that as of Jan. 1, 2013, there are 105,717 stalls in 153 markets. Of that number, only 89,842 stalls are being used.

In the future, Pasar Jaya plans to scrap the rental fee for traders to lure street vendors in to the markets.

However, the traders would still have to pay utility bills.

“We have talked with the Association of Indonesian Sidewalk Vendors [APKLI] regarding their members relocation to the markets,” Alexander said.

Relocating street vendors has become one of Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s top priorities.

He plans to gradually relocate street vendors to traditional markets.

Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama said street vendors often caused congestion and were an eyesore in the capital.

Through relocation, the administration expects to make Jakarta a more comfortable place.

In the first phase of the administration’s plan, 15,000 out of an estimated 300,000 street vendors in the capital will be moved to vacant kiosks in traditional markets managed by PD Pasar Jaya.

Pasar Jaya has provided 3,000 stalls at four traditional markets.

In preparation for the relocation project, Jokowi sought legal advice from the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI).