NGO protests Hardijanti's involvement in toll road
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)