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Djarot wants to limit mini markets
For a greener city: Future Jakarta deputy governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat tastes the water used to water plants at Tanjung park in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, on Tuesday
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span class="inline inline-center">For a greener city: Future Jakarta deputy governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat tastes the water used to water plants at Tanjung park in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, on Tuesday. Djarot, who will be inaugurated as deputy governor on Wednesday, had a discussion with park users like the Hidden Park Community, the Yoga Community and Family Welfare Movement (PKK) activists. JP/AWO
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician and Jakarta deputy governor nominee Djarot Saiful Hidayat visited City Hall in Central Jakarta on Tuesday to prepare for his inauguration, which is scheduled on Wednesday.
Djarot said that as deputy governor, he would prioritize the revitalization of traditional markets and limit the number of mini markets in Jakarta.
'Traditional markets in Jakarta must be revitalized. Most people know traditional markets for being dirty and smelly, therefore I want to help change that image,' Djarot told reporters at City Hall.
He went on that traditional markets must be clean, comfortable and safe so that more residents would prefer shopping at the markets. He said that traditional markets had their own charm that could not be found in mini markets or malls.
'In traditional markets, you socialize with the merchants and with other shoppers. You get to make new friends. But in mini markets and malls, you treat each other like machines,' Djarot said.
Djarot was previously mayor of Blitar in East Java from 2000 until 2010. He is a House of Representatives member representing East Java.
During his 10-year tenure as mayor of Blitar in East Java, Djarot was known to strongly oppose the construction of mini markets and malls in defense of small local businesses. Djarot said local food and beverages were much more delicious and less expensive compared to those sold in malls and mini markets.
As an alternative to their construction, he held discussions with street vendors and relocated their operations to the city's main square.
'The Jakarta administration must limit the number of mini markets. There are already too many. Moreover, some of them do not implement their obligation to give space in their stores for products from micro and small entrepreneurs,' Djarot said.
He went on that the first thing he would do as deputy governor was to meet city councilors to speed up budget deliberations.
The budget deliberation had been delayed because the city councilors had disagreements in nominating commission heads. The budget draft is expected to be approved on Jan. 8.
'Traditional market revitalization is my long-term mission. My mission for now is to speed up budget deliberations so we can have our budget draft approved before the new year,' Djarot said.
Separately, Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama assured that he and Djarot would complement one another and make a good team.
'I would not have chosen Pak Djarot if I didn't think we would have good cooperation and partnership. I'm sure we won't disagree because we have the same mission; to make Jakarta a better place,' Ahok said at City Hall.
'JP/Dewanti A. Wardhani
