According to Bang Kent\u2014the familiar nickname for Hardiyanto\nKenneth\u2014the practice of illegal levies (pungli) severely disadvantages\nsmall drivers who rely on daily earnings. He also views this incident as\ntarnishing the government\u2019s ongoing efforts to reorganise the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis clearly harms ordinary people and must not be tolerated. Tanah\nAbang is a strategic area, so it must be free from such dishonourable\npractices,\u201d Kent stated in his comments on Monday (13\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
Kent emphasised that one cause of the rampant illegal levies is the\nlack of a comprehensive and transparent parking system. To address this,\nhe is pushing for the adoption of an official cashless or non-cash\nparking system throughout strategic areas in DKI Jakarta, including\nTanah Abang.<\/p>\n
In his view, a cashless system would record all transactions\ndigitally, thereby minimising opportunities for rogue elements to engage\nin illegal parking or extortion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we implement an official cashless parking system, everything will\nbe easier to control and distinguish. What is truly official and what is\nillegal will be immediately apparent. There will be no more excuses for\narbitrarily collecting money,\u201d explained the member of Commission C of\nthe DKI Jakarta DPRD.<\/p>\n
The Chairman of IKAL (Association of Lemhannas RI Alumni Families)\nPPRA Class LXII also highlighted the habit of cash transactions in the\nfield, which he believes opens doors to abuse.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we still use cash, it\u2019s hard to differentiate. Someone could\nclaim to be a parking officer when it\u2019s actually illegal parking. But\nwith cashless, everything must enter the system. Anything outside that,\nwe consider illegal parking and must take firm action,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Kent stressed the importance of law enforcement agencies\nin eradicating extortion practices in the field. He called on the DKI\nJakarta Provincial Government to collaborate with the Indonesian\nNational Police to strictly penalise extortion perpetrators, as such\nactions fall under criminal offences.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not just an ordinary violation, but veers into thuggery.\nSatpol PP, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Transportation Agency, along with\npolice apparatus, must intervene, conduct routine patrols, and penalise\nperpetrators to create a deterrent effect,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In addition, Kent urged Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja (Satpol PP) to\nstrengthen surveillance at illegal parking hotspots, particularly in the\nTanah Abang area. In his opinion, Satpol PP plays a crucial role in\nenforcing regional regulations and maintaining public order.<\/p>\n
\u201cSatpol PP must be more proactive in curbing illegal parking and\nensuring only official parking operates. If anyone collects fees outside\nthe system, they must be dealt with on the spot,\u201d Kent firmly\nstated.<\/p>\n
Kent also encouraged more intensive coordination between the DKI\nJakarta Government, Police, and Satpol PP to ensure effective and\nsustainable handling of illegal levies.<\/p>\n
He added that parking organisation is not only about order but also\nconcerns safety and justice for the people of DKI Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want bajaj drivers and the public to feel safe, with no more\nunclear pressures or levies. This is about siding with ordinary people,\u201d\nhe concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kenneth-of-dki-dprd-calls-for-strict-action-against-bajaj-extortion-in-tanah-abang-1776063119", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }