Driver Exposes Extortion Practices in Kapuk Kamal: Out-of-Town Vehicles Become Primary Targets

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Illegal extortion practices (pungli) in the Kapuk Kamal area, North Jakarta, continue to be rampant. Drivers state that vehicles from outside the city are the primary targets of these practices.

One truck driver, Ardi (45), said that inter-regional vehicles are often targeted because they are considered easier to solicit money from.

“Especially with those Sumatra-crossing vehicles. They like that the most. In fact, they are most pleased with out-of-town vehicles,” Ardi told Kompas.com near the location on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

“Yeah, diesel colts – diesel colts also get hit. Well, they usually just ask for a thousand, two thousand like that,” he said.

He added that the extortion practices occur at several points along Kapuk Kamal, especially at road junctions.

The perpetrators usually stand in the middle or on the side of the road while directing traffic flow.

Every vehicle passing by, especially those intending to turn or slow down, is directly asked for a sum of money.

“Yeah, that can’t disappear. Arrest them today, tomorrow there will be others, more will come,” he said.

The same sentiment was expressed by another driver, Fatih (not his real name). He said that the extortion in Kapuk Kamal targets all types of vehicles without exception.

“It’s not just container trucks, small vehicles too, box trucks also get asked,” Fatih revealed.

“Ah, that’s been going on for a long time. Tired of it,” he said.

Fatih hopes that the authorities can take firm action against the extortion practices in the area so that it does not continue to harm drivers.