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)