Frequent taxi robberies make passengers worry

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A recent spate of robberies committed against taxi passengers by drivers and their accomplices has created unease among passengers, particularly women.

Yanti, a 34-year-old office clerk who lives in Cililitan, East Jakarta, said she was reluctant to take a taxi home from her office on Jl. Sudirman following the recent robbery of a taxi passenger on one of the capital's busiest streets.

"I always thought taxis were the safest form of public transportation in Jakarta, but now I have to be very careful about choosing a taxi," Yanti told The Jakarta Post.

There has been an increase in the number of reported robberies by taxi drivers and their accomplices over the past few weeks, with Asyas Tasya Mustika, a 28-year-old pregnant woman from Tanjung Barat, South Jakarta, the latest victim.

Asyas took a green-colored taxi from Blok M, South Jakarta, at about 8:30 p.m. last Friday.

The taxi driver stopped the car along Jl. Fatmawati, also in South Jakarta, and three people got into the vehicle.

Asyas, seated in the backseat, attempted to open the door nearest her to flee but it was locked. She screamed for help, but the driver sped away.

The driver and his accomplices robbed Asyas of her necklace, wedding ring, cellular phone and forced her to withdraw Rp 6 million from an ATM in Cibubur, East Jakarta. Hours later, the robbers left Asyas in Nagrek, Cileungsi, Bogor.

A day earlier, Uduryna, 27, a resident of Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta, was robbed along Jl. Sisingamangaraja in South Jakarta by a taxi driver and two accomplices.

Uduryna was driven around for hours and robbed of all her belongings, including a cellular phone, cash and jewelry, before being left in Rawamangun, East Jakarta.

Earlier, a woman was robbed by a taxi driver in Cilandak, South Jakarta, while two taxi passengers were robbed in separate locations in North Jakarta.

"The taxi driver must have cooperated with the robbers because it is impossible he just stopped and let the two men get into the taxi. We are now investigating," city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono said of Uduryna's case.

He criticized taxi companies that failed to exercise any control over their drivers.

"Registered drivers will often hand over taxis to unregistered drivers as long as they can bring back the rental fee for the taxi companies and some money for themselves," said Tjiptono.

These unregistered drivers often loan the taxis to other people as well.

"Nobody knows how many drivers use one taxi. The last driver will have to make a lot of money to pay the several taxi drivers in front of him. This can make them start to think about an easy way to make some money and they end up robbing passengers," he said.

Tjiptono called on taxi companies to enforce their regulations and monitor their drivers.

Tips for taxi passengers

1. Only take taxis from credible companies, which usually operate new vehicles.

2. Check the interior of the taxi. Avoid taking a taxi with dark windows.

3. After opening the taxi door, check the space under the seat. Unwanted passengers sometimes hide under the seat.

4. Match the photo on the ID on the dashboard with the driver.

5. Be alert if the taxi stops for no reason and at traffic lights.

6. If someone approaches the door of the taxi, quickly use the other door to get out of the vehicle and start shouting for help.

7. Call 112 or SMS 1717 for police help if you see anything suspicious.