Pedicab drivers demand to ply narrow streets<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): About 2,000 becak (pedicab) drivers pedaled
\ntheir three-wheeled vehicles to Jakarta City Hall yesterday
\nmorning to urge the authorities to allow them to operate in the
\ncity's alleys and narrow streets.<\/p>\n
Under the watchful eyes of hundreds of members of the security
\nforces, the pedicab drivers said they were very upset with
\nJakarta Governor Sutiyoso, who recently allowed them to operate
\nin the capital and then seven days later reversed his decision.<\/p>\n
\"The authorities can arrest us if any of us are found
\noperating on the city's main thoroughfares,\" a spokesman of the
\npedicab drivers, Slamet Edi Prayitno, told the city officials.<\/p>\n
\"We are now facing difficulties finding jobs during the
\ncurrent crisis. So now, please, give us the chance to operate in
\nalleys and narrow streets here,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In an attempt to persuade the governor to change his mind
\nagain, the drivers suggested the administration limit the number
\nof pedicabs and issue identification cards for the permitted
\ndrivers.<\/p>\n
The flow of pedicabs heading to the City Hall on Jl. Medan
\nMerdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta started as early as 6 a.m.
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
In front of the City Hall, where Sutiyoso has his office, the
\ndrivers peacefully parked their light vehicles on the road's
\nmedian and sidewalks.<\/p>\n
Seven representatives of the drivers, mostly from towns in
\nWest and Central Java, were then invited by the city officials --
\nled by the head of the city's social and political affairs
\ndirectorate Herbagus Suharyono -- to press their case.<\/p>\n
The city officials insisted in the meeting that the
\nadministration would stick to the existing 10-year-old city
\nordinance that Sutiyoso ignored when he announced that the city
\nwas opened to pedicabs.<\/p>\n
\"I hope all of you could understand it,\" Herbagus told the
\nrepresentatives.<\/p>\n
\"We have offered to finance your transportation back to your
\nhometowns,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The meeting was also attended by at least three reporters,
\nincluding one from The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The seven representatives then left the meeting.<\/p>\n
Outside the City Hall, Slamet -- one of the representatives
\nand who also claimed to be the drivers' coordinator -- told his
\ncolleagues that the city officials had promised \"not to take
\nstern action\" against them.<\/p>\n
His explanation was greeted with cheers.<\/p>\n
\"Hidup (Long Live us!), hidup, hidup,\" yelled the crowd.<\/p>\n
The drivers then took their vehicles and left the scene in a
\nlong convoy that caused heavy traffic congestion as people packed
\nthe sidewalks to watch them pass.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso publicly announced on June 25 that he was allowing
\nthe pedicabs to operate again after they had been banned for 10
\nyears in a bid to enable unemployed people to make money during
\nthe economic crisis.<\/p>\n
The governor changed his mind and revoked his own decision on
\nthe pedicabs on the grounds that drivers had entered the
\nforbidden areas.<\/p>\n
He also ordered an immediate crackdown against the pedicabs,
\nwhich are banned in the city based on City Ordinance No. 11\/1988
\nwhich states that the capital is a pedicab-free area.<\/p>\n
Last Friday, the governor set aside Rp 50 million (US$3,400)
\nto pay for the drivers to return home.<\/p>\n
According to Slamet, by yesterday 3,000 pedicabs had returned
\nto the city.<\/p>\n
Following Sutiyoso's order for the immediate crackdown on the
\npedicabs, many drivers and owners rushed their vehicles to
\nTangerang, the nearest town to the west.<\/p>\n
According to the head of the Tangerang public order agency,
\nPrana Sigit, the town, home to many export-oriented factories and
\nindustries, is now hosting an additional 10,000 pedicabs.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Sigit insisted pedicabs were
\nfree to operate in any part, including major thoroughfares, of
\nTangerang. (ind\/bsr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pedicab-drivers-demand-to-ply-narrow-streets-1447893297",
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