PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Bandung City - Efforts to organize the Gedebage Main Market do not stop at transporting thousands of cubic meters of garbage. The Bandung City Government together with Perumda Pasar Juara also took firm steps to resolve other issues of thuggery and extortion practices that have been troubling traders and market visitors.

President Director of Perumda Pasar Juara Pradana Aditya Wicaksana explained that the problem of thuggery is not new in the Gedebage Main Market. However, this time, the government did not remain silent.

"This thuggery problem has been going on for a long time. Alhamdulillah, yesterday according to the direction of the governor and mayor. We reported it to the police, and it was immediately followed up," said Pradana.

In a joint operation led by the Bandung Police Saber Pungli team, three alleged extortion perpetrators were arrested early Tuesday (29/4/2025). The three were caught red-handed while carrying out extortion against traders.

This action is a strong signal that practices that are detrimental to market communities will no longer have room amidst the ongoing improvement efforts.

"We want to ensure that Gedebage Main Market is a market free from thuggery so that traders and the public feel safe and comfortable when shopping," Pradana emphasized.

This task force also works together with the police and regional authorities to conduct routine monitoring and take firm action against any violations that occur in the market area.

This step to handle thuggery goes hand in hand with the massive cleaning and waste management efforts carried out for the previous two days. The combination of physical cleanliness and social security is the foundation for the transformation of the Gedebage Central Market towards a better direction. (Bandung City Communication and Information Service/ Rani)