Ambon speedboat drivers on strike

AMBON, Maluku: Some speedboat drivers operating in the Belakang Kota area of Ambon city, serving the Laha and Waiyame routes, have stopped operating since Friday following a kerosene shortage in the city.

A speedboat driver, Hasan, said on Saturday that the drivers were on strike to show solidarity to those who could not get kerosene to fire up their speedboat engines. "It's better if we all go on strike if only some of us can work," he said.

Another driver, Muklis, said that in a day, he used 20 liters of kerosene serving the Ambon-Waiyame route.

"We hope the government and Pertamina will see our problem, he said. -- JP