Spending a day with an 'ojek' driver

Iqbal Purwadi, 21, is an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver based in the Matraman area of Central Jakarta. A native of Jakarta (Betawi), he began driving motorcycles for a living after the bankruptcy of an office he worked at following the onset of the economic crisis. He lives in Matraman Dalam with his wife, Euis Maryanti, 20, and one-year-old son, M. Rizki. In conversation with The Jakarta Post's William Furney.

JAKARTA (JP): After I say the morning prayer I'll go back to bed for a few hours. But I have to be out on the street at about 8 a.m. I'll buy some nasi uduk (coconut rice, a Betawi favorite), which costs only Rp 1,000 from the warung (food stalls). In the morning, my passengers are those who are going to work. They can be anyone, from office clerks to businessmen, and both Indonesians and foreigners. They're all in a hurry and want to get to work as quickly as they can. That's why they choose to go by ojek. Even thought there are traffic jams all over the city at that time, I'm able to negotiate the cars and buses and get out in front. It's much quicker than traveling by taxi, and cheaper; the usual fare is about Rp 2,000.

I bought the motorbike I currently have in 1997. I got it on credit from the showroom and each month I pay Rp 150,000. I have another 10 months to go before I'll have paid it off. Motorbike prices have gone up a lot since the start of the economic crisis. In 1997, my bike cost Rp 4 million but the same model costs much more today.

I wait for passengers at the bus stop beside Matraman Mosque. It's always busy and there are a lot of ojek drivers hanging around. Most of them are good people, but some can be bad. There's one guy that drinks and takes drugs and is often stoned first thing in the morning. If people recognize that he's under the influence, then they won't go near him. But others do, and I'm sure it's not the best. That driver has problems at home and that's why he's like that.

There is a lot happening in this country at the moment, and a lot of the problems are blamed on the Muslims. But I believe that's not right. If Muslims want to be fanatical and protect their religion at all costs, then that's not a bad thing. I don't think its wrong to criticize someone for being fanatical.

I'm interested in politics. I think that our President is a very clever man and he can fix all the difficulties. As for Ibu Mega (the Vice President), she also can help the country. During the last general election, I voted for PPP (the United Development Party), basically because they are a Muslim party, and I am a Muslim.

The most important thing for me, though, is my family. I want Rizki to be successful in school and have a good life. But for me, I'm only 21, I want to do other things in my life. Most of all, I want to have a lot of money. I'd like to travel to other areas of Indonesia as I haven't been anywhere yet.

I'll eat at about 2 p.m., fish or something else, and always from a warung. Euis never cooks anything -- because she can't. She was never taught how. So even at home we get all our food from the warung. But I wish she could cook; It'd be nice. For now, though, she's not strong enough, even if she could cook. She has to look after our son and it's very tiring for her. She's not very strong.

I love my son, and the day he was born was the best day ever.

We are a traditional family. Before we were married, Euis wore a jilbab (head scarf) and even though she doesn't now, we respect each other in accordance with our religion and custom.

I'll work until about 7 p.m. and then go home and pray. After that I'll watch some television. We rarely go out these days. Before I got married, I used to play football, but not now. If I want to leave the house, I have to request permission from Euis first. I'll say something like "Bu, I want to go out, may I?". But usually, she'll say I'm not allowed to and I'll just stay in. And it's the same for her. She can't go anywhere without my permission.

Recently, she came to me and said she wanted to work at a branch of Dunkin Donuts. But I said no, as our son is too young. She was a bit mad for a while but is OK now. I don't think it's a good idea for women to work outside the home anyway.

Sometimes, we'll go to Monas (National Monument Park) to just walk around. I believe in clean living, and don't drink alcohol, but I do smoke.

Even though I went to school and am now an ojek driver, I'm happy. It's fine for now. The money I make is OK -- between Rp 30,000 and Rp 40,000 per day. That's about Rp 1 million per month. I work every day to make the most I can.

When I get to bed, at about 9 p.m., I have nothing much on my mind; I just fall fast asleep.