Another President Taxi driver murdered in North Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): A taxi driver was stabbed to death by passengers yesterday on Jl. Agung Perkasa Raya, Tanjung Priok district, in North Jakarta.

North Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Rismawan said residents in the area found the President taxi driver, Diki R. in his cab with severe stab wounds to his chest and neck.

"We are still investigating a motive for the killing since the victim's wallet was found. It was not a robbery," Rismawan said yesterday.

The murderers are still at large, he said.

The 31-year-old driver, who lived in Jl. Pisangan Lama, Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta is survived by a wife and son.

On Tuesday morning, another President taxi driver was attacked and robbed by two passengers on Jl. Cipinang Muara, Jatinegara, East Jakarta.

The police have arrested two unemployed men, identified as Didi and Hermansyah, for robbing the taxi driver, Dahlan Siagian, of Rp 80,000 (US$34.33).

After robbing Dahlan, the suspects ordered him to get out of his taxi.

Dahlan refused and tried to fight the suspects but was stabbed in the back.

Dahlan screamed for help and some locals came to his rescue and caught the suspects. They then handed the suspects over to the police.

There has been a spate of attacks on taxi drivers in the city and surrounding areas in recent weeks.

On Oct. 17, a President taxi driver was robbed and killed by unidentified men in the remote village Setia Mulya, Taruma Jaya district, Bekasi.

Villagers found Sjamsul Bahri's body, his chest ridden with stab wounds. His wallet was missing.

City Police Spokesman Maj. Nyoman Suriasta said President taxi drivers seemed to be attacker's "favorite" targets.

"Because most President taxis are owned by individuals, many of them are not equipped with taxi radios and emergency lights," Nyoman said.

At least four taxi drivers were robbed in and around the city last week. Some of the robbers have been students and some have been women. (jun)