Becak drivers participate in story-telling competition
Becak drivers participate in story-telling competition
Annastashya Emmanuelle
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Could story-telling become an alternative occupation for becak
(pedicab) drivers whose vehicles have been seized by the city
administration?
Not quite, according to some of the drivers, but participating
in a story-telling competition held by the Ministry of National
Education on Saturday was an interesting way to gain new
experience.
The competition was part of the ministry's bazaar in
celebration of International Literacy Day, which fell on Sept. 8.
"It was fun, I got to be with my friends, and we could tell
our stories," said one pedicab driver, Suhendar, who went to give
support to his competing friends.
Of the 40 people who attended, mostly pedicab drivers from
across Jakarta, eight participated in the story-telling
competition, which rewarded the winner with a trophy, instant
noodles, an energy drink and Rp 10,000 for transport money.
The winner, Sunardi, a pedicab driver from Central Java, told
the audience how his becak was seized before he'd even paid off
the vehicle.
"Now, I haven't got a clue about how I'm going to provide for
myself," he said, adding that he now takes odd jobs that come his
way, such as construction work.
According to the organizer, Azwina Aziz Muraza, her team was
dispersed throughout the city to invite the pedicab drivers to
take part.
"We try to make them understand that story-telling could be an
alternative profession," she said, adding that she called upon
the drivers not to stage demonstrations against the city
administration's raids.
Governor Sutiyoso and Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar
Hamzah, who were invited to take part in a dialogue with the
becak drivers, failed to attend the event.
Sutiyoso has repeatedly pledged to continue the crack down on
becak until the capital was totally free of pedicabs.
Dozens of becak drivers last week filed a lawsuit with the
Central Jakarta District Court against Sutiyoso over the crack
down.