UPC seeks pedicab total with registration, license scheme<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Securing President Abdurrahman Wahid's blessing
\nfor becak (pedicab) to operate in residential areas, the Urban
\nPoor Consortium (UPC), which coordinates pedicab drivers in the
\ncapital, has begun registering becak and issuing licenses to
\ndrivers.<\/p>\n
UPC chairwoman Wardah Hafidz said the registration was meant
\nto ascertain the actual number of pedicabs and pedicab drivers in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
"We want to know the exact number of becak in each becak
\npool and the required number of becak in each neighborhood," she
\ntold The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Pedicab registration tags are sold for Rp 3,500 each (50 US
\ncents), Rp 2,500 of which is for the tag and Rp 1,000 of which
\ngoes into a savings account set up for pedicab drivers. Each
\ndriver must also have an identity card which is sold for Rp
\n1,000, Rp 500 of which goes into the savings account.<\/p>\n
"Through the registration system, we can set up a savings
\naccount for becak drivers. The savings can be used to buy spare
\nparts or cover maintenance costs," she said.<\/p>\n
Currently, some 4,000 pedicabs in Jakarta have been registered
\nby UPC. According to data from the city administration, there are
\nmore than 6,000 pedicabs across the city.<\/p>\n
The registration program, however, was criticized by Governor
\nSutiyoso on Tuesday. "An NGO should persuade city residents to
\ntake part in positive activities, not misleading ones.<\/p>\n
"Their (UPC) efforts put me in a difficult position because
\nthe City Council has urged me to settle the becak problem in the
\ncapital."<\/p>\n
"Therefore, I will continue with the plan to cleanse the city
\nof becak," he said, while emphasizing that he cared about the
\npoor.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said the city administration offered to purchase
\npedicabs for Rp 250,000 from drivers willing to enter a new
\nprofession.<\/p>\n
The President signaled his approval for pedicabs to operate in
\nresidential areas during a meeting on Monday at Merdeka Palace
\nwith activists from some 30 non-governmental organizations
\n(NGOs).<\/p>\n
"I approached Gus Dur during the meeting on Monday .... He
\nsaid that he decided to allow becak to operate in residential
\nareas, saying he would contact Governor Sutiyoso by phone (to
\ndiscuss the issue)," Wardah said referring to the President by
\nhis nickname.<\/p>\n
The President's latest stance on this issue contradicts a
\nstatement he made before some 10,000 impoverished city residents
\non Nov. 20. At that time, the President said pedicab drivers
\nshould think of changing professions and that he backed
\nSutiyoso's plan to remove all pedicabs from the city.<\/p>\n
Choice<\/p>\n
Wardah said driving a pedicab was neither disgraceful nor
\nhumiliating. "We earn our money through our own sweat by driving
\nbecak," Wardah quoted pedicab drivers as saying.<\/p>\n
She said most pedicab drivers in the city previously worked in
\nfactories, making a similar amount of money to what they earn
\ndriving pedicabs.<\/p>\n
"They chose to drive becak because they feel freer because
\nthey can manage their time more flexibly," Wardah said.<\/p>\n
She said the drivers would be willing to change professions if
\nthe city administration could provide them better-paying jobs.<\/p>\n
"It's natural to choose a better job, but it should be of
\ntheir own volition.<\/p>\n
"Why is Governor Sutiyoso so arrogant, refusing to hear the
\nvoice of poor residents? He doesn't care about the poor," she
\nsaid, while suggesting Sutiyoso should resign.<\/p>\n
"Becak are pollution-free vehicles and don't contain any
\nimported parts. What else can you ask for," she asked.<\/p>\n
She also criticized the City Council for endorsing the
\ngovernor's policy instead of complying with the demands of
\nresidents. "City councilors should listen to the demands of the
\nresidents and not become the city administration's rubber stamp."<\/p>\n
Wardah said she asked pedicab drivers to operate only in
\nresidential areas and traditional markets.<\/p>\n
"The drivers will take care of their fellow drivers and warn
\neach other not to operate on the streets and on highways."<\/p>\n
Council Speaker Eddy Waluyo said on Wednesday the decision to
\nremove all pedicabs from the streets of Jakarta was final.<\/p>\n
"UPC's action has interfered with regulations and could be a
\nbad precedent for other city residents, who may use force to get
\ntheir demands endorsed," Eddy said.<\/p>\n
Councilor Posman Siahaan from the Justice and Unity Party
\n(PKP) urged city authorities to prosecute Wardah.<\/p>\n
"UPC's activities have offended the legitimate
\nadministration," he said. "Becak drivers will take it for granted
\nthat it is legal to operate in the city." (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/upc-seeks-pedicab-total-with-registration-license-scheme-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}