Protests by public vehicle drivers paralyzes Bandung

By Yuli Tri Suwarni

BANDUNG (JP): Still recovering from days of fierce labor demonstrations, Bandung was again jolted by protests as thousands of public minivan drivers went on strike on Saturday effectively paralyzing West Java's largest city.

The city was not only at a standstill for most of the day, but also tense as mobs roamed the deserted city streets and forced shop owners to close their shops.

Many feared a repetition of the violent labor protests that occurred just days earlier.

The drivers, who began their strike at about 8 a.m., demanded the city administration and council endorse a fare increase to accommodate the 30 percent fuel price hike announced by the government on Friday night.

With the recent labor protests still fresh on people's minds, security forces were quickly put on alert.

Determined not to see city-wide violence for the second time in one week, Bandung Mayor Aa Tarmana adopted an uncompromising stance instructing security forces to shoot-on-site any rioters found roaming the city.

"Anyone found to be causing mayhem, destroying public facilities, should be shot on site," he asserted.

"But if they're looting stuff like bread or filling up gas without paying, then arresting them would suffice."

The mayor insisted that heightened security in Bandung was necessary as "outsiders" were trying to disrupt security in the city by exploiting discontent over the fuel price hike and the recent labor protests.

In the afternoon representatives of the drivers, who operate some 7,000 public minivans in the city, met with councillors to air their demands.

"How can we survive if the price of gasoline rises by Rp 300 per liter and the fare doesn't?" charged minivan driver Dida Suprianda, 30, as he met councillors from a joint commission of the West Java Council.

"How am I going to feed my wife and children," Dida, who claims to only make about Rp 5,000 to Rp 10,000 profit per day.

While the mood following the meeting with the councillors was certainly more positive, it is unclear if the proposed fare increase would be accepted.

A member of the commission, Bambang Haryono, stressed that "we basically agree that a new tariff needs to be adjusted. But it has to be the governor who makes the ultimate decision, because only he has the authority."

But the city administration's head of economic affairs Murtedjo said a gubernatorial decision could not be hastily issued on a fare increase.

"It has to be formulated together with the local organization of land transportation owners, police and consumers," he explained.

But, by the evening, Mayor Tarmana unilaterally signed a letter instructing a fare increase of about 25 percent for Bandung.

Bandung Regent Obar Sobarna also quickly consented to a 30 percent increase on public minivans operating on the outskirts of the city.

Earlier in the morning, several shops in Bandung, a popular holiday weekend destination for Jakartans, were open.

However, the situation became tense as gangs of youths on dozens of motorcycles roamed the city, threatening to attack shops that were still open.

Another group of about 200 bikers also blocked Padalarang toll gate.

The toll gate was closed for several hours in the morning as mobs stopped buses heading west toward Jakarta and forced passengers to alight.

Three bus terminals -- Leuwipanjang, Cicaheum and Kebon Kalapa -- that accomodate many inter-city buses were also paralyzed.

Amir, a passenger on a Bogor bound bus, recounted how his bus was forced to turn back to Leuwipanjang by male bikers.

Bandung Police Chief Snr. Comr. Timur Pradopo said that about 50 trucks owned by the military and police had been deployed in several parts of the city to help stranded commuters.

He added that about 2,000 police personnel were also on standby.

As of Saturday, at least 28 people were being detained by police for looting or destroying public facilities.

Representatives of the drivers however said they were not responsible for the unrest that took place.

"We're of the conviction that we don't want the kind of destruction that we saw in the recent labor protest," Dida said.