Activists claim intimidation

JAKARTA (JP): Activists of Urban Poor Consortium, a non- governmental organization, yesterday claimed they had been intimidated by a police officer and unidentified men for helping pedicab drivers organize demonstrations to protest Sutiyoso's ban.

Coordinator of the organization, Wardah Hafidz, told reporters that two activists, Alex Yusutardi and Edi Saidi were intimidated by a security officer and unidentified people a day after they helped organize a protest by 150 becak drivers at City Hall last week.

She said a police officer appeared at Alex's house in Pademangan, North Jakarta, and two unidentified men went to Edi's house in Jelambar, West Jakarta.

The activists were not at home and the men asked their neighbors about the two's activities, she said.

As of yesterday, the authorities have transported 1,330 pedicabs back to their places of origin to beat the July 31 deadline for all the three-wheeled vehicles to leave the capital. (ind)