Governor urges action against UPC activist<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso urged the Jakarta Police on
\nWednesday to take all measures necessary against the recent
\nillegal street rally by becak (pedicab) drivers organized by the
\nUrban Poor Consortium (UPC).<\/p>\n
In a letter dated Wednesday and addressed to Jakarta Police
\nchief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman, the governor stated that the
\nUPC action on Jan. 1, 2000 appeared to be instigating other
\npeople as outlawed in Chapter V Article 160 of the Criminal Code
\non Crimes Against Public Order.<\/p>\n
Signed by his deputy for administration affairs Abdul Kahfi,
\nthe letter also insisted the street rally, in which some 700
\npedicab drivers took part, violated the 1988 Jakarta Regional
\nRegulation number 11 on public order and the 1988 Law number 9 on
\nfreedom of speech in a public place.<\/p>\n
"Therefore, we need help from the Jakarta Police chief to take
\nnecessary action against such rallies, to uphold the law and
\nanticipate similar actions in the future," Sutiyoso stated in his
\nletter.<\/p>\n
UPC, a nongovernmental organization, organized a group of 700
\npedicab drivers on Saturday to illegally peddle their vehicles in
\na convoy along the capital's major thoroughfares. They
\ncongregated at the City Hall before moving to nearby Monas park
\nand then the popular Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.<\/p>\n
The rally, led by UPC chairperson Wardah Hafidz, attracted
\nonly a few supporters other than pedicab drivers.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said in his letter to the police, "UPC has launched a
\nsystematic campaign to force the city administration to allow
\npedicabs to operate again in the capital. They have held several
\nactions to force their demands."<\/p>\n
"The organization has also collected signatures from 23,000
\nresidents and 4,000 international sympathizers in an attempt to
\nwiden support," Sutiyoso said.<\/p>\n
"They (UPC executives) have also made administrative moves by
\nregistering the pedicabs and their drivers, something which can
\nonly be conducted by the city administration," he added.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment on Sutiyoso's letter, Wardah insisted
\nthat she was ready to face any risks.<\/p>\n
"I'm ready. But it is the governor who should be reported to
\nthe police for his policy on pedicabs," she told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
She said it was Sutiyoso himself who initially allowed the
\nreturn of pedicabs to the city without first revoking the city
\nbylaw on that matter.<\/p>\n
"But he then revoked his own policy after being criticized,"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso initially allowed Jakartan drivers to operate
\npedicabs in 1988 when the monetary crisis was at its peak.
\nHowever, he retracted his remarks after the streets became
\nflooded with pedicabs from outside Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"Soon after the Idul Fitri holiday, we'll file a lawsuit
\nagainst the city administration's policy banning pedicabs from
\nthe city," Wardah added. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/governor-urges-action-against-upc-activist-1447893297",
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