Riau Police Chief Opens Workshop for Online Motorbike Taxi Drivers: Ojol as Police Eyes and Ears

Ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the Mobile Brigade Unit of the Riau Regional Police has opened a free workshop service for online motorbike taxi (ojol) drivers. This initiative represents a tangible expression of the Indonesian National Police’s concern for the community, particularly ojol drivers as partners in maintaining public security and order.

During his visit to the free workshop at the Riau Regional Police Headquarters, Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan expressed pride in the innovation by his subordinates. According to him, ojol drivers are a vital pillar in community economic activity, from transporting people to delivering logistics services.

“This vehicle is the most crucial for our ojol driver brothers and sisters. If humans have legs to move, then for ojol drivers, the vehicle is their legs for earning a livelihood,” said Inspector General Herry at the Mobile Brigade Headquarters of the Riau Regional Police, Pekanbaru, on Tuesday (18/3/2026).

Although this free service is temporarily open only ahead of the Lebaran homecoming because the mechanics will return to their villages, the Police Chief promised that the programme would become a regular agenda.

“Insyaallah, after Ramadan, we will open it again officially and routinely every day,” he added.

In addition to the technical service aspect, Inspector General Herry hopes this collaboration will strengthen the role of the Ojol Public Security Precision of the Riau Regional Police. Given the 24-hour mobility of ojol drivers, they are expected to serve as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police in the field. If any notable incidents are encountered, the drivers can report them directly through the 110 call centre service.

“Ojol colleagues are mobile 24 hours everywhere, so in the future, it is hoped that if there are incidents, they can report directly to 110,” he concluded.

The free workshop exclusively for ojol drivers was officially opened today, providing light maintenance services including oil changes. Today, over a hundred ojol drivers have come to the free workshop for oil changes.

The ojol drivers are enthusiastic about participating in the programme. They feel pleased that the workshop helps alleviate the burden on ojol drivers.