Residents protest minivan strike

Residents protest minivan strike

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: People living in the northern part
of this provincial capital questioned on Friday the local
government's slow-paced efforts in resolving a strike staged by
hundreds of public minivan drivers.

The drivers, who have been on strike since Wednesday, are
striking in protest against local students who damaged and
impounded some of their vehicles as revenge for the alleged
sexual harassment of a female student the day before.

The school of economics student, identified as Ananda, was
reportedly molested on a public minivan plying the Daya-Central
Makassar route.

With no minivans operating in the last three days, people have
been forced to walk for kilometers to reach their offices,
schools and homes. Some were seen riding trucks and becak.
(pedicabs)

"I wonder why the local government, land transportation agency
and land transportation owners are not doing anything. We will
take to the streets if the strike does not stop," Adam Suryadi, a
resident of Bumi Talamanrea Permai housing complex, said.

A student, Kundari, said she had missed her classes in the
past two days due to the absence of public transportation and
fear of attacks by drivers. (27)