Digital Surveillance: Solution to Tackle ODOL Trucks and Extortion

JAKARTA – Efforts by the government to regulate Over Dimension Over Load (ODOL) vehicles are no longer solely focused on monitoring violations on the roads. The ongoing digital transformation is also seen as capable of closing loopholes for illegal levies (pungli) in the field. Director General of Land Transportation, Aan Suhanan, stated that implementing a digital-based monitoring system is a strategic step in reducing direct interactions between officers and drivers, which has often been a loophole for pungli. With systems such as CCTV and Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE), the monitoring process becomes more transparent and minimises human intervention. This is believed not only to increase the effectiveness of enforcement against ODOL violations but also to reduce opportunities for illegal negotiations between rogue officers and drivers. On the other hand, the Ministry of Transportation is also carrying out a transition period towards the implementation of the Zero ODOL policy. This step is carried out through intensive socialisation to drivers’ associations and goods transport operators, to reduce resistance to the policy that will be fully enforced. “With orchestration led by the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and coordinated commitment from all ministries and agencies, I am optimistic that Zero Over Dimension Over Load can be achieved by 2027,” said Aan. “Let us end tolerance for over dimension and over load vehicles, as well as traffic accidents because nothing is more important than human safety; one life is too many,” he added. This digital transformation serves as proof that modernising the transportation system not only aims to improve oversight but also to enhance governance.