'Becak' drivers fight for their right to operate

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

About 150 becak (trishaw) drivers united in the Daya Manunggal Becak Driver Group (PBDM) visited the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) office in Central Jakarta Wednesday, pressing for their right to operate legally in Jakarta.

They demanded that the city administration stop raids and allocate funds towards better management of the becak transportation system instead. They also urged Komnas HAM to call on the city governor to find a fair solution for the becak issue and form a commission of inquiry to investigate human rights violations on the urban poor.

Jukimin Suseno, chairman of PBDM, said that the visit to the office was the third time in two years.

In 1990, the city administration banned becak from operating in the city on the grounds that they obstructed traffic.

In 1998, however, due to the mounting economic crisis, Governor Sutiyoso allowed becak to operate again in Jakarta. Within a week, about 150 becak entered the city from surrounding areas and farther away, and Sutiyoso withdrew his decision.

Once again, becak became targets of raids by the administration. However, the city administration failed to offer a solution to address the problem, and in 1990, at the same time that massive raids were carried out, the administration promised to find other jobs for becak drivers -- a promise that the administration did not fulfill.

"It was an empty promise. Nothing was done. Instead, they suggested us to become vendors, but this would also violate the city bylaws," said Bejo, who has been a becak driver in Jakarta for 10 years.

Despite the repression of becak, they always succeeded in getting into the city furtively, leaving the city administration frustrated.

At present, hundreds of becak still operate around traditional markets and residential areas. Serving mainly housewives on their daily shopping rounds, many becak drivers have forged a unique driver-customer relationship with the housewives.

"No other transportation vehicle is willing to deliver housewives' shopping items right to their kitchen doors," said Jukimin. "Moreover, becak are cheaper and non-polluting. Therefore, they are comfortable transportation for short-distance shopping trips."

Undoubtedly, becak are needed by certain people. Although rejected by the city administration, they are welcomed by Jakarta's citizens in residential areas.

In Pulomas, East Jakarta, for example, becak drivers at one time discussed their right to operate in the area with local officials and residents. The discussion resulted in a decision to allow a certain number of becak to operate in designated areas in Pulomas. However, the administration ignored the neighborhood agreement and carried out another raid.

The same thing happened to drivers in the Rawasari area of Central Jakarta. Amid the people's current discontent due to the recent fuel price hikes, observers said the government would be wise to legalize becak, which provide cheap and comfortable transportation for Jakarta's troubled residents.