Illegal 'becak' swarm Bandung

BANDUNG, West Java: According to a local official, an estimated 6,000 of 15,000 becak (pedicabs) roaming the city streets are operating illegally.

The 6,000 becak are not covered by official documents, as required by local government regulations, chief of the city revenue office Tjumarna Saputra said yesterday.

The city government plans to crack down on illegal becak, he said, adding that ideally, the number of the low-cost vehicles in the city should be no more than 10,000.

The crackdown on becak and roadside vendors in the city has often caused tension. Last week, rioting, involving thousands of becak drivers, street vendors and security officers, broke out because of a minor incident during such an operation.

Tjumarna said most becak drivers in the city came from Central and East Java, reported Antara. (pan)