Residents Urged to Report Illegal Parking Attendants in Blok M if Asked for Money

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Police are urging residents to report instances of illegal parking attendants demanding excessive fees in the Blok M area, South Jakarta.

The Head of Public Relations at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that the actions of illegal parking attendants can be categorised as extortion.

“It is possible to report illegal parking attendants to the police. We need to assess whether extortion has occurred. For example, if the parking fee is Rp 1,000, they should not demand Rp 50,000. If extortion or intimidation occurs, we will receive the information and take action,” said Budi at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters on Friday (15/5/2026).

According to Budi, parking issues are also related to local revenue.

“Regarding local revenue, the police fully support the involvement in regulating the system, ensuring security, including parking, and preventing traffic congestion,” explained Budi.

Meanwhile, regarding initial measures such as enforcement, Budi stated that this is the responsibility of the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP).

Previously, the Head of the Parking Management Unit of the Jakarta Transportation Department, Massdes Arouffy, stated that they need assistance from law enforcement agencies to handle illegal parking attendants.

“Actually, when we arrest people, as civilians, we don’t have the authority. The Transportation Department is a civilian agency, and arresting civilians is not within our authority. Therefore, this should be handled by law enforcement,” he said when contacted by Kompas.com on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

“We would be very grateful if they also increased their attention to this issue,” he added.

It is known that visitors complained about illegal parking fees at Blok M Square, South Jakarta, on Thursday (14/5/2026), after the seal on the parking operator was lifted by the Jakarta Transportation Department.

Rian (37), one of the visitors, said that someone helped direct vehicles and then gestured to ask for money from visitors.

“They didn’t force it directly, but it made people uncomfortable if they didn’t give any money. Ideally, parking should only be paid at the exit gate, but there are still people asking for money inside,” he said when met by Kompas.com in Blok M on Thursday (14/5/2026).

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