Angkot Drivers Protest Pickup Trucks Carrying Too Many Passengers, Stage Demonstration at NTT Governor's Office

Angkot drivers held a demonstration at the NTT Governor’s Office, bringing their vehicles. As a result, dozens of minibuses were parked in front of the NTT Governor’s Office.

The angkot driver demonstration was held to express their protest to the Governor of NTT, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena. This is because pickup truck drivers continue to carry many passengers. However, according to a circular issued by the Governor of NTT, pickup trucks are only allowed to carry a maximum of five passengers.

“We came today because we are not satisfied with the fact that these pickup trucks continue to carry passengers. That’s why we feel aggrieved and we came to the governor so that he enforces the existing rules,” said the Coordinator of the Action Mass, Agustinu Kortareal, in Kupang, Thursday (February 26, 2026).

Agustinu revealed that this demonstration was attended by around 60 angkot drivers. They planned to convey their demands directly to Laka Lena. However, the Golkar Party politician was not in his office. As a result, the drivers were only met by the Head of the NTT Transportation Department, Mahadin Sibarani.

“In the meeting earlier, the head of the department said that he would re-enforce the governor’s rules,” said Agustinu.

Agustinu emphasized that the angkot drivers will hold another demonstration if the NTT Provincial Government does not enforce the rules according to the Governor of NTT’s circular. Agustinu even threatened to bring a larger mass of people.

“This action is our first action, but if it is still not enforced, then there will be a second action with a larger mass, but if not, we will definitely cause trouble with the pickup trucks on the field,” said Agustinu.

“We feel that these pickups carrying more than 5 people are uncomfortable. Previously, we could earn more than Rp 150,000, but now it is difficult to even earn Rp 150,000 because the pickups have taken our passengers,” said Agustinu.

The Head of the NTT Transportation Department, Mahadin Sibarani, said that the meeting with the angkot drivers agreed that enforcement would be carried out starting in March 2026. The enforcement will also be supported by the police.

“So, we from the NTT Provincial Transportation Department, the police, and they (angkot drivers) agreed that in March 2026 we will carry out the enforcement according to the rules. We will carry out more intensive enforcement in March,” said Mahadin.

Mahadin said that the enforcement will not only be carried out against pickup truck drivers, but also against angkots that violate the rules. The sanctions given will be in accordance with the rules, ranging from administrative sanctions to the revocation of route permits.