Sunday, 12 July 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Mayor of Medan, Rico Waas, officially launched the market levy payment system and digitalization program at the traditional Petisah Market on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The initiative marks a strategic step by the Medan City Government to accelerate the transformation of traditional markets into a modern, professional, transparent, and accountable management system.
The digitalization program, implemented in collaboration with Bank Mandiri, is part of broader efforts by the Medan City Government and PUD Pasar Kota Medan to strengthen the governance of traditional markets amid rapid technological advancement and shifting consumer behavior.In his remarks, Rico Waas emphasized that traditional markets are currently facing increasingly complex challenges. In addition to competition from modern retail centers, they must also contend with the convenience of digital shopping platforms that are now easily accessible via mobile devices.
"The public says they feel less comfortable, and there have not been many changes. Today, everything is visual, and people have many choices—they can even shop while scrolling on their smartphones," said Rico Waas.He stressed that digitalization is not merely a trend, but a necessary step toward building a more professional and accountable working system.
"We must adapt in order to enter this technological era, so that our working system becomes more professional, responsible, and more comfortable for the public," he said.Rico Waas noted that the management of market levies had repeatedly been a concern of the Medan City Council, reinforcing the need for a more transparent system.
With the new digitally integrated payment system connected directly to the banking network, all vendor payments are automatically transferred to the official account of PUD Pasar Kota Medan. This enables real-time financial monitoring and minimizes the risk of irregularities."Today marks a bold step forward. All vendor payments are clear and traceable, with no intermediaries. There are no more deductions in the middle. Everything is direct and can be monitored in real time every day," he emphasized.
Beyond improving transparency, the system also provides greater convenience for vendors, eliminating cash handling while ensuring all transactions are automatically recorded digitally.
The city government believes this technological transition will create a safer and more organized trading environment. Traditional markets are expected to remain competitive and capable of adapting to modern retail developments.Rico Waas underlined that while the transformation presents challenges, it is essential for the future sustainability of local markets and serves the interests of both traders and the wider community.
"This is only the first step. Change is not easy, but we must not be afraid of it because it serves the common good. Petisah Market and other markets belong to the people of Medan," he said in closing.He expressed hope that Petisah Market would become a model for other markets in Medan in adopting digital and modern management systems.
PUD Pasar Kota Medan Director, Anggia Ramadhan, also stated that digitalization is not merely a technical upgrade but the foundation of a comprehensive market management reform."This is the first step of a reform toward a modern, transparent, accountable, and professional system. It aligns with the mayor's vision for clean governance," he explained.
He added that digitalization responds to rapidly changing consumer behavior and increasing competition from retail and e-commerce sectors. Traders, he said, must adapt and embrace digital tools to remain competitive."If traders cannot meet the demand for fast and high-quality service, traditional markets will lose their competitiveness," he stated.
With the implementation of digital payment systems and further modernization programs, the city aims to build a sustainable and healthy market ecosystem that strengthens public trust while keeping traditional markets attractive in the long term.This transformation in Petisah is part of Medan's broader vision to improve public services and strengthen the local economic base without losing the social function of traditional markets. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
/home/u7391150/public_html/indatanews.com/theme/function.php on line 28