After Parking Operator Sealing, Blok M Square Visitors Still Demanded for Extortionate Fees
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Visitors have complained about the continued presence of illegal levies when parking at Blok M Square, South Jakarta, on Thursday (14/5/2026), after the sealing of the parking operator was lifted by the DKI Transportation Agency.
Rian (37), one of the visitors, said there was someone helping to direct vehicles and then signalling to ask for money from visitors.
“It’s not openly forced, but it makes you feel uneasy if you don’t give, it should only be parking fees at the exit gate, but there are still people asking inside,” he said when met by Kompas.com at Blok M on Thursday (14/5/2026).
At several points in the parking area, several officers wearing white shirts and black trousers were seen standing by while directing vehicles entering and exiting.
They assisted in guiding cars that wanted to park as well as vehicles leaving the area.
However, besides the uniformed officers, several men without official badges were also seen around the parking location.
They appeared to be helping to position vehicles and giving signals to drivers who wanted to park their cars.
Occasionally, several drivers were seen giving money after being assisted in parking their vehicles or when exiting the parking area. The money was then received directly by them.
He also admitted to often having difficulty distinguishing official officers from people directing parking around the shophouse and dining areas because many do not wear uniforms or clear badges.
“Well, as a visitor, it’s confusing, is this actually a public area or are there special rules. Because there are many people standing around directing parking, in the end, as visitors, we just comply so as not to cause trouble or fear something happening to the vehicle,” he said.
Another visitor, Restu (28), also said he only learned about the controversy over parking management at Blok M Square after it became widely reported.
According to him, the parking situation at Blok M Square has always seemed chaotic because there are many people directing vehicles around the parking area.
Restu also admitted to having experienced additional levies after being helped to take his vehicle out of the parking area.