Bad news for bad officers

BANDUNG, West Java: Transportation Minister Haryanto Dhanutirto vowed yesterday to crack down on traffic officials who find faults with vehicles and extort drivers for money.

He promised to advise his department, in charge of land transportation, to provide cards for all drivers of public vehicles in which they can report on any inconvenient treatment they obtain from transport officials along the way.

"The drivers' employers can then file complaints with the police regional command in their respective areas," he said, while meeting with 500 drivers Tuesday.

At the same occasion, Maj. Gen. Koesparmono Irsan, the National Police chief deputy, acknowledged that about one percent of Indonesia's 180,000 policemen allegedly extorted drivers on the streets.

"Don't be afraid to give us accurate information on such corrupt officers," he said. (pet/pan)