Pedicab drivers stage rally<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of becak (pedicab) drivers staged a
\nrally in front of the city council on Saturday, demanding
\nGovernor Sutiyoso allow them to operate in the city.<\/p>\n
Organized by Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) chairwoman Wardah
\nHafidz, the pedicab drivers submitted a proposal to on-duty
\nsecurity officials at City Hall. The proposal reportedly
\ncontained hundreds of signatures, including some from foreigners,
\nwho supported pedicab operation in the capital.<\/p>\n
When asked about the reasons for staging a rally on the first
\nday of 2000, Wardah said the pedicab drivers only wanted to
\nremind Sutiyoso that the third millennium is a century of
\nsovereignty and justice for ordinary people.<\/p>\n
\"Thus, this time the governor should pay more attention to
\npeople who live below the poverty line,\" Hafidz told Antara.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso allowed pedicab drivers into the city in 1998 due to
\nthe prolonged economic crisis. As numbers increased
\nsignificantly, Sutiyoso revoked his statement in May last year
\nand ordered city public order officials to conduct raids on
\npedicabs.<\/p>\n
The ban on becak won the support of President Abdurrahman
\nWahid, who suggested pedicab drivers look for other jobs. The
\nPresident, however, revised his policy by allowing the pedicabs
\nto operate in residential areas.<\/p>\n
The protesters, who failed to enter the governor's office,
\nlater dispersed peacefully after Wardah delivered their petition
\nto a city security official. (imn)<\/p>",
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