'Becak' drivers fight for their right to operate
'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.