Road closure hits 'Ojek' drivers

PURBALINGGA, Central Java (JP): About 300 pedicab and ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers from villages in Purbalingga regency staged a protest against the closure of main roads here on Thursday.

The roads were closed because a bazaar was being opened.

They called on Regent Soelarno to close the bazaar because it was causing them to lose money.

"If there is no adequate answer (from the regent) we will sleep here rather that leave without taking home any money," said an ojek driver named Sudirman, 35.

The protesters waited for three hours before a senior local official finally met them.

Hartono, head of economic affairs, promised to convey the drivers' fears to the regent. (29)