Ika Krismantari, Jakarta – Some prefer the last option, reportedly including market operator PD Pasar Jaya, said to be running a dirty business involving local thugs in managing markets in the city.

Several market merchants in Jakarta have acknowledged this dirty practice persists in the management of traditional markets.

"They use thugs to control traders in the market. They want to create fear so when problems arise, everything remains under control," Jakarta Street Vendors Association head Apoan Saragih told The Jakarta Post.

Pasar Jaya runs 153 traditional markets in Jakarta and thugs are believed to exist in every market, operating with the local company's knowledge.

These thugs are known to ask for additional money of traders for security fees. Aside from paying rental fees, the traders are asked to pay this additional cost per day.

Each merchant has to pay between Rp 5,000 (55 US cents) and Rp 10,000 a day to these people or reportedly they risk losing their business. The targets for this illegal operation are not only traders inside the market buildings but street vendors operating around surrounding buildings.

"They will not allow us to display our goods when we refuse to pay," said Burhaddin, 55, a street vendor at Cipulir Market, South Jakarta. "We are pressured all the time but we cannot fight because this [business] is my only source of income," says the man who has been running his business since 1993.

The Post visited several traditional markets in Jakarta and found that most traders did not appear to mind the current system, allowing this illegal practice to continue as they said they believed giving money protected their business from those criminals. They said they saw the money as an extra fee to maintain order in the market.

Nining Indroyono Soesilo, urban economics expert from the University of Indonesia, agrees such illegal practice is maintained by Pasar Jaya to avoid possible conflict with local thugs that may create bigger problems for management and traders.

"If [the thugs] are not 'nurtured', they can threaten the entire market system. So, the best option is to make them partners in managing the market," says Nining who carried out research on thuggery and markets in Jakarta in the 90s, which she believes to exist to the present day.

Pasar Jaya spokesman Nur Havids denied the thugs involvement in the management of markets in Jakarta. "Thugs do exist in the markets but they are not part of the management," he said.

The Post recently observed a person wearing an official uniform asking for money of traders in Kebayoran Lama Market in South Jakarta. "It is only for daily retribution," said the man, who refused to give his name.

The man also approached a number of street vendors outside the market building asking for money. According to the management's principle, those traders are not under the authority of Pasar Jaya.

It is not clear where traders' money will go but Kebayoran Lama Market head Royani explained the money goes into security and a cleaning service budget.

"There are no thugs in the market. If they exist, they can do nothing because I am the king of thugs here," Royani said over the phone, then burst in his laughter.