Authorities order minivan and bus crews not to go on strike<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city police, military and municipality have
\ninstructed the crews of minivans and city buses not to go on
\nstrike demanding ticket price increases or protesting against the
\nskyrocketing prices of spare parts.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said
\nWednesday such strikes would be utilized by certain groups who
\nhave different agendas to the drivers' demands.<\/p>\n
\"The groups, which I call the opportunists and radical groups,
\nonly aim to disturb next month's General Session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly,\" he said at a post-Idul Fitri gathering
\nheld by transportation cooperative Koperasi Wahana Kalpika in
\nCibubur, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie made the statement in response to thousands of minivan
\ndrivers who went on strike in Bekasi on Monday, demanding a fare
\nhike due to price increases in spare parts.<\/p>\n
He said military command would not hesitate to take stern
\naction against protesters, especially those who have political
\nmotives.<\/p>\n
\"From now on I forbid demonstrators to turn to the streets,\"
\nSjafrie said, referring to the latest demonstrations held by a
\ngroup, Barisan Merah Putih (Red and White Front).<\/p>\n
He urged drivers to call the military toll-free telephone
\nnumber 122 if they heard or knew about something suspicious in
\ntheir neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie promised to discuss the drivers' grievances with the
\nrelated parties.<\/p>\n
He said that he and Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata
\nhad discussed the spare parts prices with the spare parts dealers
\nbut declined to give further details.<\/p>\n
Head of the City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) J.P.
\nSepang said protests would only exacerbate the situation<\/p>\n
\"We are all in a difficult situation here. Buses and minivans
\nhave stopped plying six routes due to a lack of operational fees.
\nStaging a protest will not do any good. It can only make things
\nworse.\"<\/p>\n
He admitted public transportation vehicle owners had lodged
\ncomplaints.<\/p>\n
\"They all complain about the high prices of spare parts. We
\nare all in a jam here.\"<\/p>\n
Oriyanto, an officer from the agency's traffic supervision and
\ncontrol section, said the city had a 15,731-strong public
\ntransportation fleet, ranging from minivans to buses.<\/p>\n
PT Mayasari Bakti, PT Giri Indah, PT Metro Mini, PT Kopaja and
\nPT Mikrolet are among the 20 transportation companies listed by
\nthe agency.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the firms are complaining about the prices of spare
\nparts. The tire prices, for instance, have risen up to 200
\npercent from the usual cost,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The agency can only convey the complaints to the Directorate
\nGeneral of Land Transportation, which is charged with making
\ndecisions about such issues, he added.<\/p>\n
Aip Syarifuddin, head of the Organization of Land
\nTransportation Owners (Organda), said the price hikes were
\nunbearable.<\/p>\n
\"A locally made tire is sold for Rp 1.02 million compared to
\nthe precrisis price of only Rp 385,000.\"<\/p>\n
He also hoped the government would permit bus companies' debts
\nto be renegotiated.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the payments could be delayed for two to three
\nyears.\" (jun\/edt\/ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/authorities-order-minivan-and-bus-crews-not-to-go-on-strike-1447893297",
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