Prices rise as drivers' strike continues

Prices rise as drivers' strike continues

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The public transport drivers'
strike here continued for a second consecutive day on Tuesday,
creating new headaches for residents in the form of soaring
prices for essential commodities.

Vendors increased the prices of many staple foodstuffs, saying
that they had to cover extra transportation expenses.

Red chilies were being sold for Rp 10,000 from the previous Rp
7,000 per kilogram. Onions cost Rp 8,000 per kilogram, compared
to the previous price of Rp 4,500, while the average price of
vegetables rose by some Rp 3,000 over the usual price.

"It's crazy but we have no choice," a vendor said.

Only a few public transport minivans were seen on the streets,
leaving large crowds of commuters stranded awaiting transport.

Medan Regional Police chief Sr. Supt. Hasyim Irianto said that
services were still being provided by some 40 buses belonging to
the state transport firm Damri and scores of military/police and
government vehicles.

Despite the strike, business and school activities gradually
resumed on Tuesday but some offices and shops only opened for
half a day.

"We hope the strike will end as my feet are killing me. We
have to walk quite far to reach school. It's too expensive to
take a pedicab," a student said.

An overnight meeting was attended by North Sumatra Governor T.
Rizal Nurdin and the Big Family of Public Transportation Drivers
and Owners (Kesper) in Medan, which initiated the strike. During
the talks, the group demanded security guarantees and the
deployment of police sharpshooters.

The administration agreed to crackdown on hoodlums and provide
security so as to eradicate the alleged extortion of illegal
levies by members of certain unnamed youth organizations.

"I understand the drivers' grievances but let's not leave the
people suffering from the strike. Don't turn Medan into a city of
chaos," the governor said.

Hasyim, who also attended the meeting, said that security
conditions remained under control and that the deployment of
sharpshooters was unnecessary.

Local government officials were seen distributing flyers
urging the drivers to end the strike at the Amplas, Pinangbaris
and Sambu bus terminals, a local reporter said.

Rizal, Bukit Barisan Military Command Chief of Staff Brig.
Gen. Asril H. Tanjung and Medan's Public Transportation Owners'
Association (Organda) chief O.K. Khaidir renewed calls for the
drivers to end their strike.

Some 10,000 drivers in the city, home to around 2.3 million
people, began their strike on Monday and are expected to remain
on strike until Wednesday.

In another development, an overnight brawl between youths on
Jl. Aksara and Jl. Pukat on Tuesday left 16 people injured,
including a daughter of provincial legislator Rajab Napolis
Tanjung.

"My 24-year-old daughter Neneng was shot in the neck by an air
rifle when she opened the door," Rajab told the media on Tuesday.
(39/edt)