Pedicab drivers sent to jail

JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta District Court sentenced four defendants to one year in jail and nine months for three others on Monday for being involved in the murder of a civilian guard during last August's riots in the areas of Roxy and nearby Grogol, West Jakarta.

The judges -- comprising of Judge Panusunan Harahap, Barita Saragih and Sirande Palayukan -- said the defendants were found guilty for beating victim Matsani to death during a riot between pedicab drivers and the city administration's team, in which Matsani joined.

Hundreds of disappointed pedicab drivers ran amok against the team, claiming Matsani's life and injured two others.

The riot was triggered by Governor Sutiyoso who declared war against pedicab drivers although he had previously allowed them to operate in the capital since 1998 due to the prolonged economic crisis since mid 1997.

Since his statement was against the City Bylaw No.11/1988 on the ban of pedicab drivers to operate in the capital, Sutiyoso took back his words the next day.

Tension has grown between the administration and the pedicab drivers, who later gained the support of the Urban Poor Consortium. -- JP