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JAMBI, Bhayaksa.net—- The illegal occupation of public spaces in the Pasar Baru area, specifically on Jalan Orang Kayo Pingai, Jambi Timur District, Jambi City, is spinning out of control. The pedestrian sidewalk, constructed using local government budget funds (APBD) to facilitate pedestrians, has completely shifted functions into an unauthorized, commercial open-air market. Paradoxically, residents have dubbed this sidewalk the “most luxurious vendor spot in Jambi City,” as street vendors exclusively seize state-owned property in a prime location for free, showing total disregard for socio-economic impacts and public safety.
Based on an in-depth on-field investigation and interviews conducted on Wednesday (September 23, 2026), this land-use violation has caused massive traffic dysfunctions. The overcrowding of illegal stalls not only strips pedestrians of their constitutional rights but also triggers chronic traffic gridlock along Jalan Orang Kayo Pingai, especially during peak trading hours.
A wave of fierce protests was voiced by local commuters. Rian Hidayat (34), a pedestrian from the Kasang neighborhood in Jambi Timur District, stated that his constitutional right as a citizen to access safe public infrastructure has been forcefully stripped away.
“Every day, I have to risk my life walking directly on the main road because the sidewalk is completely blocked by merchandise and tents. This is pure lawlessness. It’s called the most luxurious spot because they get to use state property without paying any rent or taxes, leaving us to bear the risk of getting hit by passing traffic,” Rian said angrily on Wednesday (9/23).
Echoing the sentiment, Supriadi (42), a Jambi Selatan resident who frequently drives through the area, emphasized that this law enforcement neglect severely drains time and productivity for daily commuters.
“This is no longer a simple public order issue; this is a blatant failure of law enforcement. This main road is a shared public asset, but it turns into gridlock every single day just because the sidewalk has become an overflowing market. The government must not back down to the stubbornness of a few rogue vendors,” Supriadi stated firmly.
On the other hand, the deep investigation uncovered that the local government has actually allocated appropriate commercial infrastructure. Official marketplace facilities equipped with formal booths have been provided inside the inner perimeter of the Pasar Baru building. However, street vendors stubbornly refuse to relocate, citing economic factors and consumer behavior.
This was openly admitted by one of the illegal street vendors, Erniwati (48), a native resident of Jambi Timur, who continues to set up her business on top of the pedestrian path. She claimed the unlawful decision was necessary to maintain business liquidity.
“We know this is a pedestrian sidewalk, but the rental fees for the booths provided by the government inside the market are too expensive and suffocate our small capital. Furthermore, buyers are lazy to walk inside the building when they can just shop directly from the roadside. If we are forced to move inside, our revenue will plunge drastically,” Erniwati claimed in self-defense.
From a juridical standpoint, economic excuses cannot absolve or dismiss the legal violations committed by the vendors. According to Article 28 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 22 Year 2009 regarding Traffic and Road Transportation (UU LLAJ), anyone is strictly prohibited from engaging in acts that disrupt the functions of road signs, markings, traffic lights, pedestrian facilities, and user safety gear.
Criminal sanctions against violators are explicitly detailed under Article 274 Paragraph (1) of the UU LLAJ, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 1 year or a hefty financial fine of up to Rp24,000,000.00 (twenty-four million rupiah). In addition, commercializing public sidewalks violates Law Number 26 Year 2007 regarding Spatial Planning, which imposes severe criminal penalties on any individual utilizing public space without obtaining the proper space-utilization permits from competent authorities.
The dismissive attitude of these illegal business operators sets a bad precedent for the local investment climate, urban aesthetics, and clean governance. The public is now demanding swift, decisive, and indiscriminate law enforcement actions. Law enforcement agencies and sector-specific authorities—including the Jambi City Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the Transportation Agency, the Industry and Trade Agency (Disperindag), and the Jambi Timur District Administration—are strongly urged to intervene immediately. They must execute a total cleanup operation to restore the pedestrian right-of-way for the greater public good.
Reporter: Harvery
Editor: bhayaksa.net Team
