Hundreds of Batam Online Drivers Protest at Kepri Governor's Office, Here Are Their 10 Demands

Hundreds of ride-hailing drivers from Batam staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Governor of the Riau Islands’ Office in Kepri on Wednesday afternoon, May 20. The rally, comprising ojek online and online taxi drivers, came to press the government to promptly resolve a range of crucial issues, from tariff enforcement to social security. The protest was joined by dozens of communities, including Batam Online Driver Alliance (ADOB), Batam’s Andalan Online Driver Community (Komando), Sahabat Milenial Batam, Ubur-Ubur, and FORDO. Carrying banners and community flags, participants voiced their aspirations under tight police and Satpol PP Kepri protection. Spokesperson Neldi, 45, said their presence aimed to press the government to address the online transport dispute in Kepri. ‘Our hope is that the government will promptly follow up on these demands. The regulations that exist must be implemented in the field,’ he said at the scene. The drivers urged the Kepri Provincial Government and related parties to realise the 10 main demands; drivers say that although regulations have been issued, implementation in the field is still far from expectations. Non-compliance with the Governor’s Decree on minimum tariffs is one of the most crucial points driving discontent among driver partners in Batam and surrounding areas.