NGO protests Hardijanti's involvement in toll road

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of activists from non-governmental organization Pijar Indonesia, took over the Semanggi 2 toll road entrance gate yesterday afternoon because they thought it was operated by Soeharto's eldest daughter.

After a 30-minute occupation of the gate, during which they allowed an enormous flow of cars to pass through without paying, the protesters were finally informed that the toll road on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta was in fact run by state-owned operator PT Jasa Marga.

The activists had thought it was managed by PT Citra Marga Nusapala Persada (CMNP), a privately run toll road construction company owned by former president Soeharto's daughter, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, who is widely known as Tutut.

They initially demanded that the government hand over the management from CMNP to Jasa Marga until they learned that they had gone to the wrong place.

"We have come to the wrong address. But the most important thing is the symbolic meaning of our action today, that we want all toll roads to be fully handled by the state-owned company," said Kuldip Singh, coordinator of the protesters.

According to Adityawarman from Jasa Marga, Tutut's company manages toll roads that link Kebon Nanas in Tangerang and Tanjung Priok and Jembatan Tiga in North Jakarta.

Jasa Marga manages the routes from Cawang, Pluit and the Prof. Sediyatmo Toll Road to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Adityawarman said.

He did not disclose the operators of the other toll roads that circle the capital.

Yesterday's rally started at about 3 p.m. when the activists marched 500 meters from a bus stop in front of Menara Mulia office building to the entrance gate.

They waved banners that read "Free the tollway now" and "Paying for the toll road equals enriching Cendana's (Soeharto) family".

They also distributed leaflets saying "You don't have to pay for the tollway" to motorists.

All drivers who pass through the gate for free cheered, waved and grinned as they went on their way.

A well-known soap-opera actor, Ari Sihasale, who passed through in his open-topped jeep with two of his friends, raised his right palm and shouted "OK!"

The rally attracted passersby and people who worked in the surrounding offices.

Only two military police personnel were seen at the scene.

The crowd dispersed peacefully after Adityawarman briefed them about the operation of the Semanggi 2 toll road.

"But we want Jasa Marga to publicly announce in detail who the operators are of all the toll roads in the city," Kuldip said. (ivy)