Pedicab drivers sent to jail

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