Kenneth of DKI DPRD Calls for Strict Action Against Bajaj Extortion in Tanah Abang
According to Bang Kent—the familiar nickname for Hardiyanto Kenneth—the practice of illegal levies (pungli) severely disadvantages small drivers who rely on daily earnings. He also views this incident as tarnishing the government’s ongoing efforts to reorganise the area.
“This clearly harms ordinary people and must not be tolerated. Tanah Abang is a strategic area, so it must be free from such dishonourable practices,” Kent stated in his comments on Monday (13/4/2026).
Kent emphasised that one cause of the rampant illegal levies is the lack of a comprehensive and transparent parking system. To address this, he is pushing for the adoption of an official cashless or non-cash parking system throughout strategic areas in DKI Jakarta, including Tanah Abang.
In his view, a cashless system would record all transactions digitally, thereby minimising opportunities for rogue elements to engage in illegal parking or extortion.
“If we implement an official cashless parking system, everything will be easier to control and distinguish. What is truly official and what is illegal will be immediately apparent. There will be no more excuses for arbitrarily collecting money,” explained the member of Commission C of the DKI Jakarta DPRD.
The Chairman of IKAL (Association of Lemhannas RI Alumni Families) PPRA Class LXII also highlighted the habit of cash transactions in the field, which he believes opens doors to abuse.
“If we still use cash, it’s hard to differentiate. Someone could claim to be a parking officer when it’s actually illegal parking. But with cashless, everything must enter the system. Anything outside that, we consider illegal parking and must take firm action,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Kent stressed the importance of law enforcement agencies in eradicating extortion practices in the field. He called on the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to collaborate with the Indonesian National Police to strictly penalise extortion perpetrators, as such actions fall under criminal offences.
“This is not just an ordinary violation, but veers into thuggery. Satpol PP, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Transportation Agency, along with police apparatus, must intervene, conduct routine patrols, and penalise perpetrators to create a deterrent effect,” he said.
In addition, Kent urged Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja (Satpol PP) to strengthen surveillance at illegal parking hotspots, particularly in the Tanah Abang area. In his opinion, Satpol PP plays a crucial role in enforcing regional regulations and maintaining public order.
“Satpol PP must be more proactive in curbing illegal parking and ensuring only official parking operates. If anyone collects fees outside the system, they must be dealt with on the spot,” Kent firmly stated.
Kent also encouraged more intensive coordination between the DKI Jakarta Government, Police, and Satpol PP to ensure effective and sustainable handling of illegal levies.
He added that parking organisation is not only about order but also concerns safety and justice for the people of DKI Jakarta.
“We want bajaj drivers and the public to feel safe, with no more unclear pressures or levies. This is about siding with ordinary people,” he concluded.