Ceramics vendor Ambet Narapnarap said he was worried about the eviction notice but was happy customers were still visiting his stall.

"I am not sure what I will do if the officials demolish my stall," he said.

After receiving warning letters on Jan. 14 and 21 from the Cempaka Putih administration, Ambet and several other ceramics vendors traveled to City Hall last Tuesday to demand a meeting with the Central Jakarta administration.

"But we are yet to receive any information about the meeting," he said, adding that the municipality promised the vendors they would not be evicted until the meeting was held.

He said the vendors wanted to negotiate the amount of compensation they would receive as well as discussing relocation plans.

"All we want is to sit down together and talk about the eviction plan," said Ambet, who has been running his business under the bypass for 30 years.

Rattan sellers under the bypass did not complain after receiving eviction notices and compensation payments last Friday.

On Friday, 22 vendors dismantled their makeshift kiosks on Jl. Rawasari in Cempaka Putih. Only seven kiosks were left Monday.

Baban, a rattan vendor, said he decided to dismantle his 5x10 meter kiosk after receiving Rp 5 million in compensation (approximately US$530).

"What's the use of complaining? We don't want to create any commotion," he said.

He said he was sad knowing he would no longer run a business in the area. He said he would also miss his friends, who planned to return to their hometowns.

"Business was good due to our strategic location here."

Baban said he planned to set up a rattan kiosk in Pondok Gede, Bekasi, when he finished dismantling his plywood stall.

"But I don't know where the other vendors will reopen their businesses," the 32-year old said.

Aside from evicting 29 rattan vendors and 86 ceramics vendors, the municipality also plans to evict residents from 57 homes in the area so as a city park can be built.

The plan forms part of the city administration's plan to create more green areas in Jakarta.

The head of the municipality's parks subagency, Catharina Suryowati, said her office had not decided on the date for the eviction.

"We are still discussing the issue with officials from the municipality, the Cempaka Putih district and the public order subagency," she said. (ewd)

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