Driver refuses to use meter

Driver refuses to use meter

In October, I alighted from a Damri Airport bus at Bulungan,
Blok M, South Jakarta, with a view to getting a taxi home. People
standing around immediately whisked my two bags off to a waiting
President taxi, giving me forebodings of impending doom.

I was not to be disappointed. Once my bags and I were in the
dilapidated vehicle passing amusingly for a roadworthy taxi, the
driver refused to use his meter and offered me a price for the
trip home. The "boys" outside demanded Rp 3,000, he said. Did
they?

Having a clear disposition against bullying tactics,
corruption and illegal charges which one tends to come up against
almost on a daily basis, I refused to pay. He wouldn't go, and
neither would I. After an exchange of words, in which I had the
opportunity to practice the vernacular street language to which I
have now become accustomed, I heeded his plea that I take a
Bluebird taxi instead.

Having exercised my freedom of choice and moved my bags
to a Bluebird. I had an excellent trip home with an extremely
courteous and proficient driver, who told me his views about the
state of modern Indonesian, and urban society.

LUQMAN HAKIM LANDY

Jakarta