Good News! Riau Police Chief Opens Free Workshop for Ride-hailing Drivers at Brimob Headquarters

Good news for the ride-hailing driver (ojol) community in Pekanbaru City, Riau. The Police Chief of Riau Province, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, opened a free workshop exclusively for ojol drivers at the Brimob Command Headquarters (Mako) of Metro Jaya Police Regional Office.

This was announced by Inspector General Herry Heryawan whilst holding a breaking of the fast meal with dozens of “Ojol Kamtibmas” (ride-hailing drivers engaged in security and order maintenance) and students at the Brimob Mako of Riau Police Regional Office, Sukajadi District, Pekanbaru City, on Monday, 9 March 2026.

“I spoke about it earlier, and I will ask the Brimob Commander to set up a free workshop here,” said Inspector General Herry Heryawan, welcomed by applause from attendees.

The free workshop service is provided exclusively for ojol drivers. Drivers needing vehicle repairs can visit the Brimob Mako.

“For repairs, tyre pumping if punctured, I will ask for cooperation with Baznas, but this is specifically for ojol,” he said.

Inspector General Herry Heryawan’s firmness was evident when he gave a personal guarantee for the realisation of this programme. He even challenged the ojol partners to demand accountability if the promise was not quickly realised.

“Please, hold me to my word. If Baznas cannot do it, I will do it myself. So if there is damage, come here (Mako Brimob) and it will be repaired,” he asserted.

“Long live the Police Chief,” the ojol community cheered in celebration.

For the Police Chief, this service is a tangible manifestation of public trust, which is the primary ‘weapon’ of the Indonesian National Police.

“Brimob is equipped with weapons not to shoot, because in truth we are all the same—children of the nation. Our weapon is the same, our weapon is the trust of our colleagues and the public in all of us,” he said.

The Police Chief also expressed appreciation to the ojol community and students in Riau who have collaborated in building a conducive situation in Riau Province.

“Students, ojol drivers, and police share similarities. We are all on the streets, we all work for the future, and we are all part of this nation. Students drive thought, ojol drivers drive the wheels of the economy, and police ensure this nation runs in order,” said Inspector General Herry Heryawan.

On this occasion, the Police Chief also conveyed the important role of students as carriers of change and energy. “Campus does not only produce criticism and ideas, but also the courage to think intellectually and convey ideas through positive narratives. A great nation is one that is not afraid of criticism,” he added.

He also simultaneously emphasised that the National Police are not opposed to criticism and continue to open space for dialogue with students and the ojol community.

“Riau Police Regional Office has never been afraid of criticism. Criticism from students we accept, criticism from ojol we also accept. As long as this criticism aims to build, then we will always open space for dialogue and discussion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Ojol Kamtibmas Pekanbaru, Arianto, in his remarks expressed appreciation to the Police Chief of Riau who has been involving ride-hailing drivers in maintaining public security and order. According to him, ojol drivers who are on the streets every day hold a strategic position in helping create a conducive security and order situation in Pekanbaru City.

“We feel very honoured to be part of efforts to maintain security and order in this city. We also want to express our gratitude to the Police Chief who has given us attention,” said Arianto.

On this occasion, Arianto also expressed the hope of ojol drivers that the Police Chief of Riau would be willing to serve as a “foster father” for the ojol community in Pekanbaru, as a place to voice complaints and hopes when facing problems in the field.

The breaking of the fast meal event proceeded in a conducive manner, concluding with the distribution of food aid and tree saplings. Students and ojol drivers also posed with the Riau Police Chief near a baracuda, which symbolises the closeness of the National Police to the community without distance.