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.