Public Roads Feeling Like Toll Roads: Portrait of Extortion on Truck Drivers in North Jakarta

Illegal extortion practices (pungli) have proliferated in Kamal Muara, Penjaringan, North Jakarta. Truck drivers passing through the area feel burdened by pungli from rogue residents. The drivers also admit to being tired of the practice, which has persisted for a long time and recurs despite several crackdowns. “Well, in that place, it can’t disappear. If caught today, tomorrow there will be others, there will be more,” said Ardi (45), one of the truck drivers, when met by Kompas.com on Tuesday (5/5/2026). Ardi explained that the crackdowns carried out by authorities have not succeeded in eliminating the pungli practice because there are quite a few rogue residents, while only one or two are caught. “They only catch those who are nabbed, but their friends are still there,” he said. The practice also occurs at several points in Kamal Muara, especially in road intersection areas. “The problem is that those people aren’t just one or two. At every intersection. One point can have four to five people. Especially at the Kamal roundabout near the water pump. Sometimes up to six people,” he said. Ardi revealed that the pungli practice in the area does not only target container trucks but also smaller trucks like box trucks and vehicles from outside Jakarta. Vehicles from outside Jakarta are even said to be the main targets of the rogue residents. “Especially with vehicles from out of town crossing from Sumatra. They like that the most. They really like it if it’s out-of-town vehicles,” he revealed. Ardi said that the practice, which harms the drivers, often triggers quarrels between the drivers and the rogues. “Often. Yes, the fights are always with the drivers,” he said.