680 fake traffic documents found

JAKARTA (JP): The City Land Transportation and Traffic Control Agency has found 680 fake roadworthy certificates during raids on public and commercial vehicles over the past two months.

Chief of the agency Buyung Atang said over the weekend that some of the documents were totally fake, while some others had only signatures or other parts of the certificates forged.

He said that of the phony documents, some 450 documents were seized in March.

Most of the fake documents belonged to box vans. Other vehicles included public transportation vans, public buses, especially Metromini, and Bajaj three-wheeler taxis.

Buyung said the city suffered at least Rp 27 million (US$2,454) in losses due to the fake documents. A vehicle' owner must pay Rp 40,000 to obtain the legitimate documents.

Public and commercial vehicles are subject to annual roadworthy tests, which include gas emission, standard equipment and function of the meter and air-conditioner for taxis. (jun)