Extortion on Pickup Truck Driver at Thamrin City, Perpetrator Forces Vehicle to Stop, Causing Traffic Jam

JAKARTA - A man is suspected of carrying out illegal levies (pungli) against a pickup truck driver in the Thamrin City area, on Jalan Teluk Betung, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Monday night (20/4/2026).

The incident was recorded in a video uploaded by the Instagram account @jakartapusat.info on Sunday (26/4/2026).

The event temporarily caused traffic congestion because the pickup truck driver stopped and is suspected of resisting the perpetrator.

“In the recording, a group of men can be seen recklessly stopping passing vehicles to demand money, causing traffic to be disrupted. Even though it has often gone viral, this action has reappeared and is increasingly troubling road users,” reads the video caption.

Tanah Abang Metro Police Chief AKBP Dhimas Prasetyo stated that as of now, there has been no report regarding the incident.

Nevertheless, the police will conduct checks at the location related to the alleged pungli.

“We will check and take law enforcement action if found. As of now, there has been no report,” he said when contacted.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Central Jakarta Administrative City Satpol PP, Purnama, stated that they will continue to monitor the alleged pungli.

If criminal elements are found, Satpol PP will coordinate with the police.

“Because that is already an act of extortion, we continue to carry out monitoring,” he explained.