Councilor wants checks on cabbies

JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor is demanding that local authorities immediately carry out spot checks of all taxi drivers in the capital to curb a crime wave and return peace of mind to passengers.

Councilor Lukman F. Rais from Commission A for administrative affairs said on Friday that a spate of robberies, assaults and murders committed by taxi bandits had frightened Jakartans.

He argued that foot-dragging over the crimes would cause serious financial problems to many taxi companies because fearful members of the public would be reluctant to use their services.

"The Jakarta Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), for instance, should be brave enough to take stern measures against taxi companies whose drivers were involved in the crimes because it shows the companies lack authority over their drivers," Lukman said.

He went so far as to recommend the agency revoke company operation permits if they breached standard regulations in recruiting and hiring drivers.

"It had been reported that most of the crimes were committed by unlicensed drivers who collaborated with their other accomplices," he said.

Unlike last year when many taxi drivers fell victim to robbery and murder, the city has been shocked this year by the rash of crimes committed against taxi passengers, often by drivers working in cahoots with criminals.

The crimes and media reports about them have scared many Jakartans, particularly women and expatriates, about using taxis, particularly those flagged down on the street. Police records show most of the victims were female executives and foreigners.

"My colleagues and I now prefer to use the air-conditioned Patas buses rather than risk our lives in the hands of the taxi drivers," said Yeyet, a senior staff member at the British Council.

On Wednesday, city police detectives shot dead three taxi drivers who allegedly specialized in preying on foreigners and arrested the gang's eight other accomplices in a shoot-out at their hideouts in Sarua, Sawangan, south of here.

Commenting on the councilor's call, head of traffic supervision for DLLAJ Oriyanto Sapardal admitted that his office had not run spot checks on taxis recently.

"We think everything has been running smoothly and normally." He claimed to be unaware of the escalating number of crimes involving taxis.

He quickly added that the agency would strengthen their patrol system beginning on Monday.

He said his office had yet to talk with involved parties, such as the Jakarta Traffic Police, about conducting a spot-check of taxi drivers and their vehicles.

"To carry out such raids, we should do it together with several institutions, such as the police."

Oriyanto promised to summon taxi companies if members of their fleets were found to be involved in the crimes.

The city has 21,340 taxis from 30 taxi companies, according to data from the agency.

Several taxi companies, including well-known ones, have been named in the robberies.

Lukman said DDLAJ should summon all taxi companies to require them to increase their accountability of their drivers. (ind/bsr)