Bylaw bans ticket touting

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After being forced to release 11 ticket scalpers because they had no legal basis for charging them, the police on Tuesday learned that the scalpers could in fact be charged under an article on public order set out in a city bylaw.

City Police Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara said that Article 17 of Bylaw No. 11/1988, which carries a fine of Rp 50,000 (US$5) or a maximum sentence of three months in jail, could be used to net the scalpers.

"Do look at the small amount of the fine, but consider the jail term. Hopefully, the judge would impose the jail term," Makbul told reporters at City Hall.

Makbul said the trial of alleged scalpers charged with such minor violations could be conducted quickly by a single judge.

Ticket scalpers have been a problem in the city for years, especially during the holiday season. They operate in bus and railway terminals, but so far none has been prosecuted.

Police had earlier arrested 11 scalpers at Gambir railway station in Central Jakarta, but they could not be charged with unruly conduct, fraud or extortion under the Criminal Code as the police had not received any complaints from their victims as required by the law.

"We believe the bylaw could be used to overcome the problem," Makbul said.

According to the bylaw, the administration could also appoint civil servant investigators to handle the problem. But the investigators would need to subsequently hand any alleged scalpers over to the police for further processing.

City Public Order officers, backed by city police, have frequently used the bylaw to crack down on street vendors, prostitutes and becak drivers.

Article 17 of Bylaw No.11/1998 states: Any person/institution is forbidden from acting as a broker in relation to public transportation tickets, motorized vehicle tests, entertainment tickets, and other similar activities without a permit from the governor.