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)