Privatization of car testing gets mixed reaction<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): City councilors and operators of public transit
\nvehicles voiced mixed opinions about the city administration's
\nplan to privatize vehicle testing.<\/p>\n
The city administration has appointed two private firms -- PT
\nNakia and PT SAWU -- to handle vehicle tests.<\/p>\n
Nakia will operate in Kalideres, West Jakarta, to serve owners
\nof public transit vehicles from West Jakarta and North Jakarta,
\nwhile PT SAWU will operate in Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta, to
\nserve those from that mayoralty and the Central Jakarta
\nmayoralty.<\/p>\n
PT SAWU will use an integrated computerized system, whose
\nconstruction is scheduled to be completed in November.
\nThe system will be able to perform nine tests for roadworthiness
\nwithin 15 minutes, according to the company's technical manager.<\/p>\n
Councilor Aliwongso Halomoan Sinaga of Commission D on
\ntransportation said he fully supported the plan, especially
\nbecause the quality of the present testing system was poor and
\nthe service inadequate.<\/p>\n
\"You can see for yourself that many vehicles on the streets
\nare in fact not roadworthy. This is proof that the present
\nquality of testing needs improvement,\" Aliwongso said.<\/p>\n
Privatization is an appropriate measure to improve that
\nquality, Aliwongso added.<\/p>\n
Another city councilor, Sumekar Kartawijaya, who is also
\ndeputy chairman of the commission, however, warned that the
\nlegality of privatizing the testing should be determined before
\nthe facilities open.<\/p>\n
Second, the city administration must ensure that after a
\nvehicle is certified as passing roadworthiness tests, it will not
\nbe deliberately altered, Sumekar said.<\/p>\n
\"For instance, prior to the tests, vehicle owners could
\nreplace worn out tires with new ones. After the tests, the driver
\ncould take off the new tires and put back on the bald tires,\"
\nSumekar explained.<\/p>\n
It will be necessary for the city administration to institute
\nchecks on public transit vehicles which have been newly
\ncertified, Sumekar said.<\/p>\n
\"What matters is the persons who are involved in the tests
\nrather than the technology used to perform the tests,\" Sumekar
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the planned privatization, Siswadi, an
\nadministration officer in charge of vehicle testing for PT
\nKopaja, which operates green minibuses, said he wondered why the
\ngovernment could not perform the tests itself.<\/p>\n
Siswadi said he hoped that with the new computerized system
\nthe testing fees can be reduced.<\/p>\n
Hamim Busro, the public relations manager of the state-owned
\nPPD which operates wide-bodied buses, said privatization of the
\nservices would have no impact on his company because PPD has its
\nown vehicle testing and repair center in Narogong, Bekasi.<\/p>\n
Hamim said PPD plans to modernize the center and operate it
\ncommercially. (arf)<\/p>",
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