Residents applaud court's verdict on 'becak'

Residents applaud court's verdict on 'becak'

JAKARTA (JP): Housewives, motorists and taxi drivers hailed on
Tuesday the Central Jakarta District Court's ruling allowing
becak (three-wheeled pedicabs) to operate in the capital.

Their support came with reservations, however. They said they
were strongly against pedicabs being allowed to operate on main
thoroughfares, citing traffic congestion and disturbances to
other road users as reasons.

Residents in Kebon Kacang and Bendungan Hilir subdistricts,
Central Jakarta, and Jelambar subdistrict, West Jakarta, agreed
on Tuesday that pedicabs were still a vital mode of
transportation.

"I need becak to take me home after my daily shop here,"
housewife Sumartin, 35, said at Bendungan Hilir market.

"Becak are more convenient than ojek (motorcycle taxi) because
becak can carry more than one person and large bags of
groceries," she said.

"Furthermore, becak drivers are very helpful. They will help
me load and unload groceries, such as heavy gas canisters, if
needed," she explained.

Two women living in housing complex in Jelambar were of the
same opinion.

Pedicabs, they said, were very useful for people living in
residential complexes even though there are scores of motorcycle
taxis.

"It's just more comfortable (to take a becak)," one of the
women, Tati, said.

The Central Jakarta District Court ruled in favor of pedicab
drivers on Monday, declaring the Jakarta governor's ban on their
operation, which was based on the city Bylaw No. 11/1988,
unlawful.

The court ruled that pedicab drivers were allowed to operate
in and around residential complexes, marketplaces and other
selected areas in the capital.

Ibrahim, an executive working at an office in the central
business district on Jl. Sudirman, said he liked to use a pedicab
to go to his nearby house for lunch.

"It's more comfortable and quieter to take a becak. I can sit
down and read my newspaper. It's relaxing," Ibrahim said.

Notary Stella Rumngangun, who drives from her house in Duren
Sawit in East Jakarta to her office on Jl. Dewi Sartika, also in
East Jakarta, said the presence of pedicabs on the streets of the
capital did not worry her.

"As long as they don't operate on the city's thoroughfares
it's okay. But if they do, they will surely cause traffic jams
because there are already too many buses in the city," Stella
said.

She added that pedicabs were essential for people living in
housing complexes like her.

"Ojek are available, but you can't expect old fat ladies to
take them," Stella said.

Kosti Jaya taxi driver Ma'fud supported the court ruling but,
like others, insisted that pedicabs should not be allowed on the
city's main roads.

"I remember years ago when becak drivers were operating on the
main streets. They used to cause congestion," Ma'fud said.

"But I support the becak drivers. What would they do if they
were not allowed to work?" he added.

Blue Bird taxi driver, Aom Ahmad, joined the chorus.

"Becak should be allowed but not outside of residential
complexes," Aom said.

"In Bandengan area (North Jakarta), there many becak on the
main roads, which is very disturbing because they always jam the
streets," Aom added.

Separately, Governor Sutiyoso reiterated on Tuesday that he
would continue to round up pedicabs despite the court's ruling.

"As long as City Bylaw No. 11/1988 on Public Order is still in
effect, I will continue to hunt pedicabs. Besides, the verdict is
not yet final. We have already appealed to the Jakarta High
Court," he said.

"All the factions in the City Council are demanding that I
settle this problem once and for all," he added.

Separately interviewed, Deputy Governor for Administration
Affairs Abdul Kahfi said it would not be easy to amend the bylaw.

"The bylaw is still in effect until it's amended and the city
administration will just follow the bylaw," he said on Tuesday.

"Amending the bylaw requires the involvement of the City
Council, which is unlikely to amend it easily," he added.

Wardah Hafidz, the coordinator of the Urban Poor Consortium,
an NGO which supports the pedicab drivers, said on Monday that
there were 54 main places in the city where pedicab drivers wait
for passengers and another 460 less popular spots. There are
about 7,000 becak drivers in the city, she added. (jaw/nvn)