Parking Attendant Cleared of Criminal Charges in Bolosego Extortion Case; UMY Expert Weighs In
Yogyakarta City Police (Polresta Jogja) have concluded that there are no criminal elements in the alleged illegal levy (pungli) case experienced by the Boloselar restaurant when opening a food truck at Alun-alun Kidul (Alkid) Jogja. A legal expert from Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) noted that the failure to meet the criteria for extortion does not automatically make the levy legal.
“In my opinion, based on Article 482 of Law No. 1 of 2023 which regulates extortion, the elements include the intent to benefit oneself or others unlawfully, and the use of force or threats of violence,” said Professor Dr Mukti Fajar, a Professor at the UMY Faculty of Law, when contacted on Saturday (3/10/2026).
According to Mukti, if the findings only involve a request for money without proven violence or threats of violence, the act cannot be classified as extortion. “So, if the facts only show that ‘money was requested’ without proof of violence or threats, it indeed cannot be declared as extortion,” he explained.
Nevertheless, Mukti emphasised that the failure to meet the elements of extortion does not automatically make the levy legally valid. “However, the failure to meet the elements of extortion does not automatically mean the levy is valid or legal,” he asserted.
In Mukti’s view, any legal levy must have a clear basis of authority or legal foundation. “Because every legal levy must have a clear basis of authority or legal basis,” he concluded.
Previously, Polresta Jogja released the results of a thorough investigation into the alleged illegal levy case experienced by the Bolosego restaurant. The results showed that the police found no criminal elements in the incident.
“Based on the facts and statements obtained during the investigation process and the opinion of criminal experts, we conclude that the event does not meet the qualifications of a minor criminal offence or the elements of extortion,” explained the Chief of Yogyakarta City Police, Kombes Ari Setyawan Wibowo, in a statement on Friday (2/10).
Ari explained that the conclusion was reached after conducting a comprehensive investigation, interviewing at least 17 related parties, including representatives from Bolosego, parking area managers, local traders, the Yogyakarta Palace (Keraton), the Transport Agency, local police, and criminal law experts.
The investigation found that Bolosego had officially obtained permission from the Yogyakarta Palace to operate the food truck at Alkid, and the Palace did not charge any fees. The permission was granted under permit number 0767/KHP/PHG/SI/Mulud.IX/BE-1960.2006, dated 10 September 2026.
Ari also noted that an agreement had been made between Bolosego and the parking area manager for an amount of Rp 6 million. The food truck operation lasted only one day, after which communication took place regarding the return of the compensation. Following mediation by the Kraton Police, part of the compensation amounting to Rp 3 million was returned to Bolosego.
Regarding sanctions, Ari stated that since no minor criminal offences were found, no sanctions could be applied to the parking managers. Furthermore, the parking area does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Yogyakarta City Government, meaning local regulations (Perda) cannot be enforced.
“Regarding the alleged minor criminal offence, based on the statements and opinions of criminal experts, the location is not within the authority of the Yogyakarta City Government for parking management,” Ari explained. He added that the area is part of Sasono Hinggil, which is Sultanate land managed under a permit dating back to 2007.
As no elements of extortion were found during the investigation, Ari concluded that the case cannot proceed legally. “As for the allegation of extortion, the investigation found no elements of coercion through violence or threats of violence as required by criminal provisions,” he concluded.