'I've no other way than to bribe the police'

Most residents say the Jakarta Police are unable to deal with crime and traffic in the capital. In conjunction with the Jakarta Police's 55th anniversary on Dec. 6, The Jakarta Post asked residents for their opinion on this much-maligned force.

Rahmat, 46, is a taxi driver. He lives with his family in Bekasi:

I deal a lot with the traffic police. I know how they work, how to negotiate with them, the exact words and amount of money you have to pay to avoid a ticket.

If I did violate a traffic regulation, I don't mind going to court and paying the fine.

But usually the police ask us to pick up our driver's license back at their station, and once we get there we have to pay them much more than if we just gave them the money on the street.

Instead of helping to do something about the traffic, they love to sneak around the corner somewhere, hoping to catch motorists off guard.

Nurhasan, 45, is a taxi driver. He lives with his wife and three children in Parung, Bogor:

Happy anniversary, Mr. Policeman, but I have something to say about their performance.

As a taxi driver, I frequently have to deal with police officers, particularly if I violate a traffic regulation. I know what I have to do.

I never argue much about what they want. All I have to do is pay them Rp 10,000 (US$1.11) and my problem is settled. Otherwise, they will ticket me and I will have to spend more money and more time.

I think it is common here -- even though it is illegal -- because many motorists, including myself, prefer to pay a bribes rather than go to court for a traffic violation.

I know this is not good, but for the time being I don't know how else to deal with it. --The Jakarta Post