'Kancil' to replace 'bajaj'

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Thursday that he would soon discuss with Minister of Trade and Industry Luhut B. Pandjaitan on a planned replacement of the bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) with four-wheeled Kancil.

"As soon as I get the green light from the minister I will proceed with plan," Sutiyoso announced.

He said the city administration would invite advertisers to place ads in Kancil vehicles to lower their price from the current Rp 25 million (US$2,272) price tag.

He suggested that the owners of bajaj, currently priced at Rp 15 million each, sell their vehicles outside Jakarta to help them get funds to buy Kancil.

Sutiyoso earlier required that Kancil should be gas fueled, not gasoline fueled.

The plan to replace the bajaj was formed after the Indian-made vehicle was said to contribute to the city's air pollution.

According to Jakarta Land Transportation Owners Organization (Organda) chairman Aip Syarifuddin, among the 20,000 bajaj operating in the city, only 13,000 have operating permits. (jun)