Bandung City Government Orders Street Vendors at Al Jabbar Great Mosque
Masjid Raya Al Jabbar, which is still the prima donna of tourists, is now increasingly crowded with street vendors (PKL). Through monitoring results, street vendors have even dared to enter the red zone area of street vendors.
The Regional Secretary of the City of Bandung, Ema Sumarna took firm action against the street vendors to move to the location provided by the West Java Provincial Government.
"Now the street vendors are increasing day by day. A month ago we had a meeting, there were 269 street vendors there, now there are more than 420. This means that this is already a problem that must find a solution," said Ema after reviewing the condition of the Al Jabbar Great Mosque, Friday 10 February 2023.
Because, according to him based on Regional Regulation No. 4 of 2011 concerning the Guidance and Arrangement of Street Vendors, mosques are a red zone apart from government institutions, both civilian, police and TNI.
"There are no street vendors allowed, including at crossroads and points that have been decreed by the mayor," he said.
After discussing with local officials and community leaders, Ema revealed several steps that could be taken. First, enforce consistent laws for blocking the activities of street vendors in the red zone.
"Satpol PP, assisted by the Transportation Agency (Dishub) and local Linmas elements, must consistently be present at the location for the blocking. We are not anti-economy because the economy is part of our title in the RKPD, but not with freedom like this," he said.
Second, the Bandung City Government will propose to the West Java Provincial Government to permanently close it with a fence. So that street vendors cannot sell in the zone.
"If we see it in plain view like this, the suggestion is to close it permanently with a fence so that later there will be no access for people to do activities there other than for worship activities," he explained.
He explained, the Bandung City Government has a long-term plan for road access there. Since 2007 the City of Bandung has made a Detail Engineering Design (DED). Especially if KM 149 is complete and connected, then this access is more ideal to be able to enter Al Jabbar.
"There are 5,000 square meters owned by someone who is managed by Haji Maman. I saw earlier that it can accommodate around 200 street vendors," he explained.
In addition, the West Java Provincial Government has actually provided land facilities for street vendors to the west of the pool which can accommodate 35 street vendors.
"But if the street vendors want to unite, I think more than 50 to 100 street vendors can be accommodated. So ideally there are 100 street vendors in the western region, then 200 street vendors on community-owned land which is now being managed by Haji Maman, who just turned 20- 30 percent," he said.
However, for the land there will be a lease scheme. It's different from the street vendors' land in the west where there are no fees because it's a facility that has been prepared by the government.
In addition, Ema added, visitors who bring food for botram or eat together at the mosque are expected not to carry out these activities in the mosque area.
"Mosques are only for worship, not for other activities. Later we will plot permanent officers and this must be consistent so that they remain conducive," he added. (din)**
Head of the Bandung City Communication and Informatics Agency
Yayan A. Brilyana
