Extortion by tow truck drivers

Extortion by tow truck drivers

From Media Indonesia

The print media have often carried toll-road users' complaints about the illegal operations of tow truck drivers. Unfortunately, the relevant authorities do not seem to pay any attention to such complaints.

At about 1 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2000, I got a flat tire and pulled my car over to the side of the road, about 500 m away from Kebon Jeruk exit toll gate. While I was preparing the jack and other necessary instruments, four large well-built tow truck operators turned up. Three of them put on Police Mobile Brigade t-shirts while the fourth was an ordinary policeman. Without bothering to inquire at all, they tied up the front part of my car and lifted it a little. Obviously, I protested.

I asked them why they hadn't allowed me some time to change my tire. One of them shouted in reply: "Well, Sir, you know we are the regional police officers. You may harm other road users. So, we will tow your car out of this toll road first." I could not do anything. I had only a European guest as company. Then I asked them how much I had to pay. "Well, let's tow you car first. Don't think about the charges," was the reply.

I had no other choice but to ride with them to a location behind Taman Anggrek Mall, which turned out to be a tow truck pool. Finally I had to pay Rp 250,000 just for a very short distance. I saw quite a few tow truck operators putting on police t-shirts over there.

I therefore call on the police to look into this matter and do away with certain tow truck operators who extort people, wearing the black t-shirts of the Police Mobile Brigade and other police units. I am sure they are not members of the police force. However, my European friend was shocked to find that in Indonesia a policeman could do as he wished by only saying, "I'm a policeman." Such an act may indeed tarnish the good reputation of our police force.

TONNY K. WIJAYA

Jakarta