'Angkot' drivers still being extorted

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Drivers of angkot (public minivans) are upset about three men exhorting money from them on Jl. Palam Raya in Tangerang.

Driver Darwanto told The Jakarta Post yesterday that every driver passing down the street is forced to pay Rp 1,000 to the extortionists.

He said the three hoods freak out if a driver refuses to pay.

"One of us was once involved in a fight with the collectors," Darwanto said.

The most troubled drivers belong to the R 02 fleet serving the route between Perumnas I and Babakan.

When asked, the levy collectors referred the Post to the chairman of the R O2 drivers organization, Z.A. Suharto.

The collectors claimed to be subordinates assigned to collect levies from the R 02 fleet drivers.

Suharto could not be reached for comment yesterday. One of his assistants, Qomari, said that besides operational costs and the drivers' welfare program, the levies go toward allowances for some executive board members of the organization.

The head of the Tangerang land transport and traffic control agency, Mamat Rachmat, said the levies are illegal and must be stopped.

"The police have the authority to it," he pointed out. (18/bas)