Extortion by tow truck drivers<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
The print media have often carried toll-road users' complaints
\nabout the illegal operations of tow truck drivers. Unfortunately,
\nthe relevant authorities do not seem to pay any attention to such
\ncomplaints.<\/p>\n
At about 1 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2000, I got a flat tire and pulled
\nmy car over to the side of the road, about 500 m away from Kebon
\nJeruk exit toll gate. While I was preparing the jack and other
\nnecessary instruments, four large well-built tow truck operators
\nturned up. Three of them put on Police Mobile Brigade t-shirts
\nwhile the fourth was an ordinary policeman. Without bothering to
\ninquire at all, they tied up the front part of my car and lifted
\nit a little. Obviously, I protested.<\/p>\n
I asked them why they hadn't allowed me some time to change my
\ntire. One of them shouted in reply: \"Well, Sir, you know we are
\nthe regional police officers. You may harm other road users. So,
\nwe will tow your car out of this toll road first.\" I could not do
\nanything. I had only a European guest as company. Then I asked
\nthem how much I had to pay. \"Well, let's tow you car first. Don't
\nthink about the charges,\" was the reply.<\/p>\n
I had no other choice but to ride with them to a location
\nbehind Taman Anggrek Mall, which turned out to be a tow truck
\npool. Finally I had to pay Rp 250,000 just for a very short
\ndistance. I saw quite a few tow truck operators putting on police
\nt-shirts over there.<\/p>\n
I therefore call on the police to look into this matter and do
\naway with certain tow truck operators who extort people, wearing
\nthe black t-shirts of the Police Mobile Brigade and other police
\nunits. I am sure they are not members of the police force.
\nHowever, my European friend was shocked to find that in Indonesia
\na policeman could do as he wished by only saying, \"I'm a
\npoliceman.\" Such an act may indeed tarnish the good reputation of
\nour police force.<\/p>\n
TONNY K. WIJAYA<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/extortion-by-tow-truck-drivers-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }