Discipline on the road

As far as we can recall, no recent bus strike has inconvenienced so many Jakarta commuters for so long as the one which has occurred over the past three days. The strike began on Monday when an undisclosed number of minibus drivers went on strike to protest the hefty increase in fines for traffic infractions. Drivers found violating the new law can be fined between Rp 15,000 and Rp 25,000, or twice the amount previously imposed for the same offenses.

What began as a mild protest apparently escalated as more drivers and crew joined the action. By yesterday, the strike had reportedly gathered such momentum that many larger city buses were prevented from plying their usual routes along the city's main thoroughfares for fear of being stoned or otherwise harassed by striking minibus drivers. Police and military authorities even felt compelled to announce the deployment of some of their personnel to fill the void.

Furthermore, to underline their resolve in implementing the new regulation and instilling discipline on the roads, the authorities let it be known that no compromises would be sought with the strikers. "The police will remain consistent in implementing the policy which has been determined by the government," said Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Moch. Hindarto.

An even more determined statement was made by the Chief of the Armed Forces, Gen. Feisal Tanjung. Commenting on the strike to reporters, Gen. Feisal said that no dialog was necessary with the striking bus crews, and that soldiers would be deployed if the drivers persisted in their action because "what we need is disciplined drivers."

Fortunately, by late yesterday afternoon a settlement reportedly had been reached between police authorities and minibus company owners, promising a speedy end to the strike. Given the vital importance of public transportation in Jakarta, however, it is instructive to take a look at the possible motives behind this recent action.

It is of course well known that opposition to the new traffic law on which the new fines are based -- Law No. 14 of 1992 -- has existed ever since the draft was made public. The obvious reason is that the law imposed much heavier penalties for offenses in order to ensure greater discipline on the roads. Skeptics have alleged that the harsher penalties would only cause fraudulent officers to demand bigger bribes from drivers and bus crews for offenses, whether real or imaginary.

Be that as it may, a major point to consider is also the fact that, from the beginning, opponents of the new law have argued that the affected parties have not been given ample opportunity to participate in the law-making process. However, once the law took effect, the best that could be done was to once again explain, as clearly as possible, to all the parties concerned that the law exists for the good of all.

That, of course, also implies assuring road users that no abuses will occur and that effective steps will be taken to guarantee that those who violate the regulation will be disciplined, with no exceptions.