Drivers protest 'becak' bylaw<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post\/Tangerang<\/p>\n
As the sole breadwinner of his family, becak (pedicab) driver
\nJepri, who operates around Jl. Dr. Sitanala in Tangerang, takes
\none day at a time. However, Tangerang administration's issuance
\nof Bylaw No. 5\/2004 -- which limits becak operation downtown and
\non main thoroughfares -- caught him unawares.<\/p>\n
Then, last Friday morning, public order officers dumped his
\nbecak into Cisadane river.<\/p>\n
"Four becak drivers, including myself, stopped in the Pintu
\nAir area, near Jl. Daan Mogot, when public order officers
\napproached us and seized our becak," he recalled. "Without our
\nbecak, we can't earn money to feed our families."<\/p>\n
Jepri was one of hundreds of becak drivers who joined a mass
\nrally in front of Tangerang City Hall, to oppose the bylaw.<\/p>\n
The bylaw, which took effect on Aug. 18, bans becak from
\noperating along Jl. Daan Mogot, Jl. Kisamaun, Jl. Dimyati and Jl.
\nKiasnawi.<\/p>\n
Becak drivers have complained over their treatment by public
\norder officers, whom, they claim, intentionally make their tires
\nflat, remove the seats from their becak and force their
\npassengers to get out and walk.<\/p>\n
At Monday's rally, which started at 8:30 a.m., the drivers
\nwere unable to meet directly with Mayor Wahidin Halim, as the
\nlatter objected to the presence of Urban Poor Consortium (UPC)
\nactivists, who accompanied them.<\/p>\n
"I will only talk directly to representatives of becak drivers
\nwho live and work in Tangerang," the mayor told The Jakarta Post
\nat his office.<\/p>\n
"They can protest, but we will still implement the bylaw. I
\ndon't have any problem with dealing with angry becak drivers.
\nIt's their turn to scold their mayor."<\/p>\n
Wahidin argued that the number of pedicabs operating in the
\nmunicipality had increased from 700 in 2000, to 3,000 this year.
\nTheir presence has contributed to traffic congestion in the area.<\/p>\n
The situation outside City Hall turned violent after a number
\nof people, claiming to be members of the Banten Islamic Front,
\narrived at the site.<\/p>\n
Angry becak drivers began to throw stones, sticks and mineral
\nwater bottles at group members, who had asked the drivers to
\ncomply with the bylaw. Police officers, who were standing guard,
\nattempted to calm down the drivers.<\/p>\n
Separately, three of the becak drivers met with city secretary
\nHarry Mulya Zain, assistant to city secretary Affandi Permana and
\npublic order agency head Edwan Firmansyah. They said the bylaw
\nwould not be revoked.<\/p>\n
"We need to uphold the bylaw for the safety of becak drivers,
\ntheir passengers and other road users," Harry said.<\/p>\n
Dissatisfied drivers vowed to operate as usual. "We will
\ncontinue to operate and we will fight against public order
\nofficers who have used violence against us," they shouted as they
\nleft City Hall.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/drivers-protest-becak-bylaw-1447893297",
"image": ""
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