Bus drivers want police protection

TANGERANG: Dozens of public minivan drivers working the Cimone bus terminal-Curug route rallied in front of Tangerang Police Headquarters on Friday to demand protection from hoodlums.

Over the past week, drivers have been forced to pay Rp 3,000 per day to hoodlums working in front of the Lippo Karawaci Supermall, according to Dohar Simamora, the drivers' representative.

He said the extortion racket was operating with the backing of the municipal Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda), through a letter signed by organization chairman Sudayat Dwiyana, who is also a deputy speaker for the municipal council.

"If the drivers refuse to pay the hoodlums Rp 3,000, they will not hesitate to hurt us with their machetes," Dohar said.

The protesting drivers arrived at the police headquarters at about 2 p.m., parking their minivans along Jl. Daan Mogot in front of the office. They immediately attempted to meet with police detective chief Insp. Kustanto.

Kustanto said the police would launch an operation to net the hoodlums.--JP