'Bajaj drivers to suffer the most'<\/p>\n
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
\"When kancil is released, common people like me will suffer
\nthe most,\" said Sukim, 35, a Bajaj (three-wheeled motorized
\nvehicle) driver in Rawamangun, East Jakarta on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Sukim, who has been driving Bajaj for nine years, is worried
\nbecause word on the street has it that every five Bajaj must be
\nexchanged with one Indonesian-made Kancil.<\/p>\n
Naturally, he fears he will lose his livelihood.<\/p>\n
Currently, there are at least 14,000 Bajaj operating across
\nthe city. That means some 11,200 drivers could become jobless.<\/p>\n
The city administration has proposed that every Bajaj be
\ntraded in for around Rp 5 million as a down payment for one
\nKancil, which manufacturer PT Kancil Automotive Marketing
\nIndustries sells at Rp 34 million.<\/p>\n
\"I guess Bajaj owners would be reluctant to support the
\nreplacement program, since the current market price of Bajaj is
\naround Rp 20 million,\" said another Bajaj driver, Gatam.<\/p>\n
The daily rental for a Kancil is proposed to be between Rp
\n60,000 and Rp 70,000 per day, while a Bajaj's rental fee is only
\nRp 40,000 per day.<\/p>\n
Gatam is certain that driving a Kancil would reduce his
\nearnings.<\/p>\n
The Kancil manufacturer had earlier proposed that bajaj
\ndrivers pay a daily rental fee of Rp 50,000.<\/p>\n
Maintenance of a Bajaj is easier because its body is made of
\nsteel, while a Kancil is made of fiberglass, he argued.
\nConsequently, if a Kancil's body was damage, say in a collision,
\nthe driver must replace the whole body of the vehicle, he said<\/p>\n
Moreover, since Bajaj had been operating in the capital since
\nthe mid-1970s, its spare parts are easy to find, he said.<\/p>\n
Despite objections from Bajaj drivers, Governor Sutiyoso
\nannounced on Friday the city administration would issue permits
\nfor 400 Kancil this week.<\/p>\n
Bajaj was first produced by Bajaj Auto Ltd India, and was
\nintroduced in the country in 1975 during the administration of
\nGovernor Ali Sadikin, who sought an alternative to the motorized,
\nrickshaw-like helicak.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bajaj-drivers-to-suffer-the-most-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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