Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) Cracks Down on Street Vendors, SPI Pushes for Personnel Deployment Down to the District Level
PEKANBARU-JAYANEWS.COM – The Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) again cracked down on street vendors (PKL) at several locations in Pekanbaru City on Friday (April 17, 2026). The crackdown focused on Jalan Hang Tuah and Jalan Mustika, specifically around the Arifin Ahmad Regional Hospital (RSUD).
The Acting Head of the Pekanbaru Satpol PP, Desheriyanto, stated that the operation was part of efforts to maintain order in the city and prevent disruptions to public interests.
“The enforcement was carried out firmly but persuasively. We don’t want to give the impression of repression, but the rules must still be enforced,” he said.
In carrying out the crackdown, officers dismantled stalls located on roads and public facilities. He said this enforcement operation will continue through regular supervision and monitoring.
The Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) also reminded street vendors to continue their operations without disrupting road users or public facilities.
Sabam Tanjung, Secretary General of the Indonesian Press Solidarity Central Executive Board (DPP SPI), expressed support for this enforcement measure. He assessed that the presence of street vendors in several strategic locations has disrupted traffic flow, particularly on vital access points to healthcare facilities.
“For example, on Jalan Hangtuah and Jalan Mustika near Arifin Achmad Regional Hospital, it has seriously disrupted road users. Moreover, Jalan Mustika serves as an access point to and from the hospital,” he said.
He warned that this situation could potentially be dangerous if not addressed immediately, especially in emergency situations.
“Imagine if an ambulance is taking a patient to the emergency room, but is delayed due to congestion caused by street vendors and parked vehicles. The road there is not very wide. This must be a shared concern to ensure unobstructed access to the hospital,” he stressed.
In addition to supporting the enforcement, Sabam also encouraged the Pekanbaru City Government to strengthen the Satpol PP with additional personnel. According to him, the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP)’s duties are increasingly complex, not only controlling street vendors but also addressing other issues such as illegal fiber optic networks that have the potential to harm the region and endanger the public.
He even proposed that in the future, the presence of Satpol PP be strengthened down to the sub-district level.
“If possible, every sub-district should have Satpol PP personnel on standby. This way, supervision and enforcement can be more effective, and responses to public reports can be faster,” he said.
Sabam added that, as the capital of Riau Province, Pekanbaru must be able to become a benchmark for an orderly, safe, and comfortable city.
“With its vast area and ever-increasing population, it must be balanced with the readiness of personnel in the field,” he concluded.
“Meanwhile, the Pekanbaru Satpol PP itself acknowledged that it still faces limited personnel. However, they assured that they will continue to optimize their performance to maintain public order and security,” he said.
ST coverage.
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