Delay of seat belt ruling applauded
Delay of seat belt ruling applauded
JAKARTA (JP): The central government's decision to postpone
the implementation of the regulation compelling people to wear
seat belts in the front seats of vehicles has received a warm
welcome from the public.
"Thank you very much Bapak Dirjen," commented Aip Sjarifudin,
the chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Organization of Public
Land Transportation Owners, referring to Santo Budiono, the
director general of land transportation at the communications
ministry, who announced the postponement on Monday.
The regulation was due to come into effect in Greater Jakarta
on Thursday.
"If the authorities had enforced the implementation of the
seat belt regulation beginning Sept. 17 as had been scheduled, it
would only have burdened our ailing business which has been badly
hit by the skyrocketing prices of vehicle spare parts and the
prolonged economic crisis," Aip told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
According to Budiono, the government decided to postpone the
plan due to the fact that the financial crisis had affected so
many people from all walks of life.
He said the decision was made after the ministry received
suggestions from the House of Representatives and the Supreme
Advisory Council to postpone the enforcement of the policy
indefinitely.
Aip said owners had already stopped running more than half of
the 21,500 taxis, 11,000 medium-sized and big buses and 14,000
minivans that used to operate in the capital.
Budiono's announcement was also hailed by motorists.
"It's really a great decision and pray that it won't be
realized at all in the future," said Indah Soepraba of Fortune PR
company.
She said, she hated the plan because she felt uncomfortable
about putting on a seat belt while driving.
"I can't even accept other people driving with their seat
belts on. In my eyes, they are just trying to show off," Indah
said.
City councilor Lukman Mokoginta suggested the enforcement of
the ruling could be carried out gradually without having to halt
it at all. (bsr)