This morning, dozens of sacrificial animal traders shut off Jalan KH Mas Mansyur from Kuningan to Tanah Abang. As reported in Detik, they were protesting plans by the government to remove sacrificial animal traders, who have come to the city in anticipation of Idul Adha, from the sidewalks of Central Jakarta.
At 10:50 pm, two police officers from Satpol PP went to the sacrificial animal traders near Tanah Abang, one of the most popular areas of the city for sacrificial animal vendors to set up their makeshift cow and goat showrooms, to explain the the new policy to traders.
The vendors gathered on the road, bringing traffic to a standstill. But they seemed to welcome the arrival of angry citizens to hear their outrage.
“Ahok come here if you dare!” the vendors shouted. A blue Kijang parked in the area took a beating before the vendors walked to the Tanah Abang District office to lodge their complaints.
Earlier this month, the Central Jakarta government announced that they would be enforcing a 2007 regional law on public order that allows them to stop animal sellers from touting their sacrificial beasts wherever they please.
Acting Central Jakarta Mayor Rustam Effendi said, “We prohibit the sale [of animals] on sidewalks and in parks. It’s OK if they [the sellers] conduct their business in other places.”
The administration has already cracked down on sellers in Tanah Abang, which is usually a veritable animal farm around this time of the year.
Rustam explained the administrations reasons for the ban succinctly. “[Their activities usually] make the city smell bad and look like a slum.”
Source: Detik
