Ramadhian Fadillah, Jakarta – Opposition to Draft Bylaw No. 8/2007 on Public Order established by the Jakarta provincial government is continuing. Around 200 buskers, beggars, transsexuals, street peddlers and 3 in 1 jockeys descended upon the Department of Home Affairs building on Monday September 24.

Led by the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), they were calling on the department to reevaluate the bylaw. Wearing red head bands with the writing “Reject Bylaw No. 8/2007”, they gave speeches and sang songs.

“We demand that the Department of Home Affairs not approve Bylaw 8/2007”, said action coordinator Edi Saidi from UPC during a break in the action on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara in Central Jakarta. Saidi said that workers in the informal sector will suffer a huge financial loss with this regulation. Never mind that it makes no sense.

“How can those using the services of or buying from a street peddler be subject to a jail sentence, it doesn’t make sense. Conceivably a fine of 5-20 million rupiah, then six months jail. This doesn’t makes sense. Furthermore we feel as if all avenues will be closed off [to us]”, said Saidi.

Saidi promised that they would continued to hold demonstrations until the Department of Home Affairs agrees not to approve the law. The demonstration that began at 10.30am ended at around 12.20pm.

Representatives of the protesters were also able to meet with the secretary general of the Home Affairs Department. The department promised it would study the bylaw taking into consideration the concerns of informal workers who work on the streets. (umi/nrl)

[Translated by James Balowski.]