Drivers' strike recedes, fares increase

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A mass strike by public minibus drivers receded in most parts of the country on Tuesday, but commuters had to pay the price as the drivers unilaterally increased the fares.

Albeit far smaller in magnitude, the strike continued in Yogyakarta, the Central Java town of Batang and the West Java town of Cirebon.

The West Java capital of Bandung, which was hit by the major strike on Monday, returned to normal on Tuesday. Minibuses were seen operating after the government unveiled the estimate of new fares which would be increased some 30 percent.

The new fares took effect on Tuesday although the local governments had not yet formalized them.

"We just let drivers increase the fares according to our estimate. At least they are not arbitrarily jacking up the prices," Bandung Mayor Aa Tarmana said.

In neighboring Bandung regency, the local administration allowed only a 10 percent increase. The decision upset many drivers who then chose to raise the fares by 20 percent or Rp 200 on average.

Cirebon woke up to a second strike in as many days with some 120 public transportation drivers, who normally ply the route between Cirebon and Indramayu, participating. Hundreds of passengers, mostly school children, were left stranded until the local administration deployed trucks and buses to pick them up.

"We resorted to a strike to protest the government's policy which did not heed the aspirations of poor people," said Gojali, one the drivers.

Chairman of the Cirebon chapter of the land transportation owners association Iskandar AB said the organization could not do anything but allow the fare increases. "But on the other hand, we understand that people had shouldered heavier burdens due to the hike in prices of other commodities," he said.

West Java Governor R. Nuriana gave a green light on Monday evening to regency and mayoralty administrations to raise the transportation fares.

"We are studying all possibilities, including the demand to increase bus fares, particularly for intercity buses," Nuriana said.

He stressed the price hike was only natural following the government's decision to increase the fuel price by an average of 14.5 percent last week. But he was quick to add that the new fares would not take effect in the near future.

Separately, in Makassar, clashes between students from the Indonesian Islamic University (UMI) who protested against the fuel price hike and the Makassar Police on Monday, continued with students blockading Jl. Urip Sumohardjo on Tuesday, by burning tires along the road and holding up banners.

All passing vehicles were forced to turn back, which created a large traffic jam.

"We demand that the government forget about this price hike because it is intolerable that in these extremely rough times, the government continues to increase fuel prices," a student protester, Ridhwan, said. Other students were seen distributing flyers which stated that UMI students rejected the fuel price hikes.

On Monday, trouble in Makassar began when UMI students protesting the fuel price hike clashed with the police. Five students and two police officers were injured in the violence.

Hundreds of students on Tuesday were also seen checking passengers in every passing vehicle, including private sedans.

"If there is a police officer seen in the vehicle, grab him," shouted one student emotionally.

In their speeches, students said they regretted the tough action police took against students on Monday, which ended with at least five students being injured.

"Clashes on Monday occurred because officers started the shooting first... we were also shocked to see the police provoking the general public to fight against us," UMI student coordinator Nasir told protesters.

"Makassar Police chief Amin Saleh should be forced to resign from his job over this."