Recurring Polemic on Plans to Evict Traders at Kendari Religious Monument

Hundreds of traders at the Kendari Religious Monument were haunted by eviction. The Kendari City Government is required to provide a solution.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Several merchants in the Religious Monument area, formerly known as MTQ in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, closed on Wednesday (24/4/2024) following rumors of regulation enforcement. This five-hectare area is the center of activities for Kendari residents, from morning until night.

KENDARI, KOMPAS — For years, the Kendari Religious Monument area, Southeast Sulawesi, has been filled with traders. They sell food, drinks and clothes, with a turnover of billions of rupiah in one month. However, the issue of evictions in green open spaces always haunts us without any solution.

In the past month, hundreds of traders in the Kendari Religious Monument have been worried. They received a warning letter from the Kendari City Government to leave the area affectionately called the former MTQ. The traders sell their goods around the five-hectare area.

Rusman (30), a trader, feels the impact of this eviction plan. The coffee shop he opened three years ago is lacking customers. One of the reasons is that he deliberately did not extend the internet network in his shop due to considering the possibility of being evicted.

"Don't let us pay for (the internet network), it turns out we will also be evicted," he said, Wednesday (24/4/2024) evening.

Until now, he said, the income from the shop has been his main source of livelihood. All his and his family's living needs depended on the turnover of income in the shop. He hopes that the situation will not continue and there will soon be clarity for the traders.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Former MTQ Religious Monument Area in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

The Religious Monument area has indeed become a magnet for city dwellers. Since morning, people come to exercise. On weekends, this area becomes like a market with various activities inside. When night falls, young people hang out and chat in several selling places until the day changes.

Chairman of the Religious Monument Traders Association in Kendari, Adi Yanto Putra, reveals that since the establishment of this area, small communities have started to come to trade. This is because the area is located in the center of the city and becomes a place for community activities.

Also read: Sultra MTQ Monument, Unguarded City Marker

After several years, the government began to arrange the area. Traders were allowed to carry out their activities, but had to follow the rules, especially regarding cleanliness. Traders were repeatedly regulated.

"Actually, almost every year, especially when Sultra's birthday approaches, there is an issue of control. "But there is always no temporary solution, even though there are already hundreds to thousands of people who depend on this area for their livelihood," said Adi.

Based on the data, there are a total of 137 vendors, including food, beverage, and souvenir sellers. They have families to support with their income from selling.

He believes that the government should view these traders as potential, not as a problem. If one trader has an average daily turnover of IDR 500,000, the amount of money circulating there could reach tens of millions of rupiah. Weekend income could quadruple. In a month, there is a turnover of billions of rupiah in this area.

This area has become a place for us to engage in various activities. It is only right that we maintain and organize it as best as possible for all members of the community. To the remaining vendors, I hope that you can continue to maintain cleanliness and orderliness while selling until further decisions are made.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Vendors in the religious monument area of the Qur'an Recital Competition (MTQ) in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, protested against the planned regulation in the area on Tuesday (23/4/2024).

Not to mention the trade chain there. Food traders require vegetables, meat, and spices, which have a broad impact on other traders in the city of Kendari.

On the other hand, Adi acknowledges that the vendors are selling illegally. They are utilizing several areas in this green open space. Some people are also known to have more than one stall which they then rent out to others. Not to mention the hygiene issues which sometimes become a common complaint.

"But we are ready to collaborate with the government, and the solution is not just to evict without any solutions. As I said, if the government organizes it, we are a potential for the city and the wider community," he said.

Also read: Reason for Economic Movement, Kendari City Government Proposes Loan of IDR 348 Billion

In a previous meeting between traders and the DPRD Sultra, several issues related to area management were revealed. The Tugu Religi area is under the authority of the Pemprov Sultra and has not yet been handed over to the Pemkot Kendari. There has also been no socialization or discussion with the traders, but suddenly there is a plan for regulation.

Comprehensive structuring plan

The Chairman of the Sultra Regional Representative Council (DPRD), Syamsul Ibrahim, emphasized that the government must look at the issues in the Tugu Religi area comprehensively. Authority and the best solutions must be considered to ultimately lead to mutual benefit.

"Don't give Sultra's birthday gift in the form of eviction to the community. There are still many other ways we can take for the benefit of the people," he said.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Former MTQ Religious Monument Area in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

It can start with ensuring the complete design and arrangement of the area. Open areas that are not able to be occupied are determined and given space for traders. Rules are also issued so that traders can sell legally and the fees can go into the region's income.

Kendari City’s Assistant II, Jamuddin, stated that the plan to regulate street vendors has been discussed several times with the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Government. Nevertheless, he admitted that there has not been any official handover regarding the management of the area.

Also read: Economic Dilemma of Southeast Sulawesi's "Nickel Paradise"

According to him, the plan for arrangement had been proposed a long time ago. Even during the previous interim mayor's term, there was a complete design and plan for arrangement. He does not know if the same plan is being used during the current interim mayor's term.

DPRD Sultra Commission IV member, Sudirman, ensures that several recommendations must be followed by all parties. Starting from data collection and harmonization of regulations, creating a layout plan, monitoring by authorized parties, and ensuring that there is no eviction before further agreement.

"This area is a place for us to engage in activities together. It is only fitting that we take care of and arrange it as best as we can for all people. To the surviving traders, I hope that they continue to maintain cleanliness and orderliness while selling until there is further decision," he said.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

A number of culinary traders in the former MTQ Religious Monument area in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Wednesday (24/4/2024).