Military to stop use of logo on gasoline trucks

JAKARTA (JP): The City Military Command has ordered all gasoline trucks, including those run by cooperatives under its supervision, to stop using the logo of the command's cooperatives unit beginning Tuesday.

Spokesman Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi said the decision was made based on a letter issued by the Army Cooperatives Headquarters dated Dec. 5, on the banning of the use of the logos of any Army cooperatives and foundations, including those under the supervision of the Jakarta Military Command, on gasoline trucks.

"For many years, we have seen many trucks, including those belonging to private companies, having the TNI (Indonesian Military) logo.

Lately, we have received complaints, who were unhappy and suffered losses due to improper acts of the truck drivers, who had the TNI logos on the sides of their vehicles," Nachrowi said by phone.

Other drivers, who have no such logos on their gasoline trucks, have repeatedly complained to the City Military Command about the ill-behaved drivers of the "military" owned trucks, he said.

At Pertamina distribution points, for example, most of them want to be served shortly after their arrival, unwilling to queue, Nachrowi said.

Much more, other people, have used the logo for their own benefit such as mixing gasoline with sump oil, water or kerosene.

All in all, the two problems have besmirched the image of the military, particularly the Jakarta Military Command.

"Should we find any gasoline trucks in the capital still using our logo, we'll firstly remind the driver about the restriction before taking harsh measures," he said.

When asked why the decision was only made after years of being neglected, Nachrowi simply said: "It's because we just got the instruction to do so." (bsr)