Illegal 'becak' swarm Bandung

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)