Drivers along Kali Mati continue dispute

JAKARTA (JP): Drivers of the M-39 minivans plying the Kota- Pademangan-Senen route went on strike on Sunday, asking the authorities to ban becaks (pedicabs) from the route to prevent further clashes, an official said.

Karta, an official at the Senen bus terminal in Central Jakarta, said on Sunday that the strike forced many passengers to take alternative forms of public transportation.

"None of the minivan drivers have entered the terminal since the morning," he said.

Karta also said that he had no idea if the drivers would continue their strike on Monday.

Dozens of the drivers were involved in severe clashes with pedicab drivers on Friday and Saturday, leaving at least two minivans damaged after they were attacked by angry pedicab drivers on Jl. Kali Mati on the border of Central and North Jakarta.

The windows of the two minivans were shattered and one of the vehicles was reportedly overturned by the pedicab drivers who demanded that the minivan drivers not ply the route after 7 p.m. in order to allow pedicab drivers to earn money.

No fatalities were reported as drivers of both of the minivans fled the scene of the attack.

"The minivans were also empty of passengers when we attacked them," Untung, one of the pedicab drivers, stated.

The cost of a minivan for a passenger is Rp 450, while a pedicab costs at least Rp 1,000 to travel to the same destination.

"The minivans begin operating at 4 a.m. They should understand that we also want to earn money. We asked the minivan drivers not to operate after 7 p.m.," Untung said.

The dispute ignited on Friday evening when pedicab driver Surba was hit by a minivan while trying to stop the vehicle and press the pedicab drivers' demands to the minivan driver.

Surba was severely injured and rushed to nearby Husada Hospital.

However, many of his fellow pedicab drivers believed that he had died and began to pelt stones at any M-39 minivans which drove down Jl. Kali Mati. (emf)