Bekasi Residents Did Not Demand Rp 50,000 Extortion from Rubbish Truck Drivers, but Rather Voluntary Contributions

Bekasi Police stated that residents conducting the alleged extortion against waste truck drivers passing through Gang Lurah, Kelurahan Sumur Batu, Kecamatan Bantargebang, Bekasi, were not demanding Rp 50,000 as reported.

Bantargebang Police Chief Kompol Sukadi emphasised that residents were merely requesting voluntary contributions from truck drivers as compensation for the odour impact caused by the waste trucks. “Some gave Rp 1,000, some Rp 2,000, and some Rp 3,000. So there was no demand for Rp 50,000. Residents said it was voluntary,” Sukadi said when contacted on Friday (27 February 2026).

However, Sukadi clarified that the practice of residents requesting money on the road as odour compensation was still prohibited. “But this action by the women to request money on the road as compensation for the smell is also not allowed and not justified. That is why I have called them in and resolved the matter,” he stated.

Sukadi explained that the residential road had previously been used by residents for food and breaking-fast food sales. However, since waste trucks with a strong odour began frequently passing through, trading activities ceased. “Because it was traversed by trucks with extraordinary odour, eventually no one sold food anymore. These women asked for money on the road,” Sukadi said.

Sukadi stated that police had called all parties involved in the controversy for clarification. “Yesterday I called the Rukun Tetangga head, Mrs Haji Gabok, and the women who allegedly asked for money. They were called directly to the police station,” he said.

As an emergency solution, vehicles were diverted to a residential road at Gang Lurah. However, according to regulations, the road was not intended for heavy-tonnage vehicles. “The solution requires taking a residential road that can be traversed. Meanwhile, regulations state that residential roads cannot be traversed by waste trucks,” he explained.

Before the route diversion, Sukadi said there had been discussions between the Environmental Services Office (DLH) and local residents. Initially, permission to use the road was granted for only one week, but was subsequently extended. “Initially, it was allowed for one week. Then it was extended by another week, and eventually it has continued until now,” he said.

The alleged extortion came to light after a video of a truck driver’s confession went viral on social media. The posting suggested that the practice had been ongoing for approximately one month since the main access road to Sumur Batu landfill experienced a landslide and became impassable for heavy vehicles.