Jakarta’s Tanah Abang Market Swamped By Idul Fitri Holiday Shoppers

“Shopping [for Idul Fitri outfits] at Tanah Abang market is an annual tradition for my family and I,” said the 28-year old, who hails from the Jakarta satellite city of Bogor in West Java province.

“Apparel prices here are more reasonably priced than other [traditional] markets, and there is a wider selection to choose from as well.” Farizky added that he even got around the constraints that the authorities imposed on Tanah Abang to prevent people congregating there.

“I came to Jakarta with my sibling and cousin on the commuter train from Bogor since the morning so we can finish shopping in the afternoon, just before [the authorities] suspended train services from Tanah Abang between 3 pm to 7 pm.”

Intervention from the authorities

The brisk business at Tanah Abang last weekend market not only attracted more holiday shoppers, it also drew fully armed police and military personnel as well as Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan himself.

“I urge people who wish to carry out their Idul Fitri holiday shopping at Tanah Abang to consider other shopping centers throughout Jakarta,” he said.

“Jakarta has other traditional markets to choose from. Furthermore, doing this will ensure that the number of people in Tanah Abang will be more easily managed, and that [Idul Fitri] holiday shoppers are not concentrated on one place.”

Dire warnings

Anies’ concerns are shared by President Joko Widodo and others. The head of state warned that there is no space for complacency, particularly after the surge of cases in India.

“Do not be self-satisfied. Do not be overoptimistic and feel that the [Covid-19] crisis is under control,” said the president, who is also popularly known as Jokowi, last Sunday on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.