Airport taxis

Upon my arrival at the Jakarta airport at midnight from Bali, I witnessed one of the most blatant and disgusting examples of corruption and intimidation.

I was harassed constantly from the exit door by a large number of taxi drivers, but I forced my way to an Express taxi through all the "cowboy" cabs. The official on duty said I was not allowed to take Express and had to take one of the other cabs. I've been here long enough to know how to handle these jerks, but I still had to repeat five times harshly that I only take Express or Bluebird.

At that point some thug approached and demanded 30,000 rupiah for the privilege of using my choice of taxi. I told him quite succinctly what to do with his demand and he then promptly threatened the Express driver who quickly gave him some cash as he swiftly sped away, but still had his vehicle attacked and pounded.

Many times I have read that the airport administration has resolved these criminal and corrupt practices, but this is the worst case I have run across.

This is a wonderful introduction to this city by unsuspecting tourists, and obviously even the locals are thoroughly intimidated by this operation.

I call on, both, the Jakarta airport administration and the Ministry of Tourism to reply in this paper to my complaint on this iniquitous form of coercion.

BRIEN DOYLE, Jakarta