Drivers protest 'becak' bylaw

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang

As the sole breadwinner of his family, becak (pedicab) driver Jepri, who operates around Jl. Dr. Sitanala in Tangerang, takes one day at a time. However, Tangerang administration's issuance of Bylaw No. 5/2004 -- which limits becak operation downtown and on main thoroughfares -- caught him unawares.

Then, last Friday morning, public order officers dumped his becak into Cisadane river.

"Four becak drivers, including myself, stopped in the Pintu Air area, near Jl. Daan Mogot, when public order officers approached us and seized our becak," he recalled. "Without our becak, we can't earn money to feed our families."

Jepri was one of hundreds of becak drivers who joined a mass rally in front of Tangerang City Hall, to oppose the bylaw.

The bylaw, which took effect on Aug. 18, bans becak from operating along Jl. Daan Mogot, Jl. Kisamaun, Jl. Dimyati and Jl. Kiasnawi.

Becak drivers have complained over their treatment by public order officers, whom, they claim, intentionally make their tires flat, remove the seats from their becak and force their passengers to get out and walk.

At Monday's rally, which started at 8:30 a.m., the drivers were unable to meet directly with Mayor Wahidin Halim, as the latter objected to the presence of Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) activists, who accompanied them.

"I will only talk directly to representatives of becak drivers who live and work in Tangerang," the mayor told The Jakarta Post at his office.

"They can protest, but we will still implement the bylaw. I don't have any problem with dealing with angry becak drivers. It's their turn to scold their mayor."

Wahidin argued that the number of pedicabs operating in the municipality had increased from 700 in 2000, to 3,000 this year. Their presence has contributed to traffic congestion in the area.

The situation outside City Hall turned violent after a number of people, claiming to be members of the Banten Islamic Front, arrived at the site.

Angry becak drivers began to throw stones, sticks and mineral water bottles at group members, who had asked the drivers to comply with the bylaw. Police officers, who were standing guard, attempted to calm down the drivers.

Separately, three of the becak drivers met with city secretary Harry Mulya Zain, assistant to city secretary Affandi Permana and public order agency head Edwan Firmansyah. They said the bylaw would not be revoked.

"We need to uphold the bylaw for the safety of becak drivers, their passengers and other road users," Harry said.

Dissatisfied drivers vowed to operate as usual. "We will continue to operate and we will fight against public order officers who have used violence against us," they shouted as they left City Hall.