Dishub and Ojol Driver Statements on Motorcycle Seizure During Order Pickup
A video of an online motorcycle taxi (ojol) driver pleading with East Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub) officers not to tow his motorcycle while he was collecting a food order went viral on social media. The enforcement operation was conducted during a joint patrol on Wednesday (17/6). Footage showed Dishub officers loading several vehicles, including the ojol’s motorcycle, onto a truck. The driver was seen begging for leniency, even climbing onto the Dishub vehicle, because the motorcycle was his primary means of earning a living. However, officers proceeded with the enforcement as the vehicle was deemed to be parked in violation of regulations and potentially disrupting traffic flow.
Head of the East Jakarta Transportation Sub-agency, Harlem Simanjuntak, stated the enforcement was carried out in accordance with Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2014 on Transportation. Officers conducted towing, net-lifting for two-wheeled vehicles, and valve-core removal operations against illegally parked vehicles. ‘During the activity, officers took action against five motorcycles parked on the pavement using the net-lifting method,’ Harlem said on Friday (19/6). He explained that one of the penalised vehicles belonged to the ojol driver whose case went viral. The owner arrived as the motorcycle was already on the tow truck and requested it not be taken away as it was his main tool for work.
Despite the plea, officers continued the enforcement process. Harlem said the decision was made to ensure safety during the lifting process and to avoid risks to officers and other road users. ‘To maintain safety during the lifting process and avoid risks to officers and other road users, the vehicle owner was directed to retrieve his vehicle at the East Jakarta Transportation Sub-agency Office,’ he clarified. He emphasised that officers had explained the reasons for the enforcement to the driver. The sub-agency also acknowledged that the vehicle was the driver’s primary means of livelihood. ‘We understand the vehicle is the main tool for work. Therefore, officers prioritised a humane approach and provided a proper explanation to the person concerned,’ he said.
Upon arrival at the East Jakarta Sub-agency Office, the vehicle owner was promptly served according to procedure. The driver was asked to write a statement letter pledging not to repeat the violation, after which he was allowed to take his vehicle back and resume his activities. Harlem stressed that enforcement is carried out against all vehicles violating parking rules, regardless of the owner’s profession, whether two-wheeled or four-wheeled. He said the measure aims to preserve the function of pavements for pedestrians and to create order and traffic safety. ‘We invite all members of the public to comply with parking regulations for the comfort of everyone,’ he stated.
Harlem also apologised for the officers’ actions that drew public attention. The East Jakarta Sub-agency pledged to conduct evaluations and coaching for officers so that future enforcement is more humane and persuasive. ‘We apologise for the actions taken by officers during the enforcement. Going forward, we will conduct evaluations and coaching so that all officers can carry out their duties more humanely, persuasively, and while upholding professionalism in serving the public,’ he concluded.
East Jakarta Sub-agency officials visited the driver’s home directly. They met the ojol driver, named Sulis Agung Wibowo, on Saturday (20/6). The meeting was held to explain the chronology of the incident and to clarify information circulating in the community. ‘We apologise for the commotion that arose in the community. We held this meeting to explain the actual chronology and to convey directly to Mr Sulis that this incident serves as evaluation material for us so that future enforcement can be carried out better,’ Harlem said on Saturday (20/6). According to him, the ojol driver Sulis approached officers when his motorcycle was already in the process of being loaded onto the tow truck. Because the loading process was underway and considering the safety of officers and other road users, Sulis was directed to follow officers to the East Jakarta Sub-agency Office. At the office, Sulis was asked to write a statement letter pledging not to repeat the parking violation. After the administrative process was completed, the vehicle was immediately returned free of charge. ‘There, the person concerned admitted his mistake and signed a statement letter pledging not to repeat the parking violation. After that, the motorcycle was immediately returned without any charge,’ he said.
Meanwhile, ojol driver Sulis Agung Wibowo admitted he had indeed parked his vehicle improperly while picking up a food order. He also refuted the notion that his vehicle was detained by officers. ‘I admit I was wrong for parking in an improper place. I went to the East Jakarta Sub-agency Office, signed a statement letter, and my motorcycle was immediately taken home that same day without any charge. I also promised not to repeat it,’ Sulis said.
Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno also commented on the incident. Rano affirmed that his administration moves swiftly to respond to every public complaint that becomes widely discussed. ‘The Transportation Sub-agency has already…’