Sutiyoso firm on 'becak' raids

JAKARTA (JP): Authorities will begin cleansing the city's streets of becak (pedicabs) after President Abdurrahman Wahid defended the capital's ban on pedicabs, Governor Sutiyoso said on Sunday.

He said at City Hall that he ordered the city's five mayors to intensify the crackdown on pedicabs operating in the capital.

In a gathering on Saturday of some 5,000 of the capital's poor, including pedicab drivers, President Abdurrahman, also known as Gus Dur, said pedicab drivers worked like horses.

The President said the government could therefore no longer allow pedicab drivers to work in the capital.

"The ban on becak operating in the city was indeed meant as a measure to eradicate poverty," he said. "Jakarta is the capital city. It's not supposed to have becak on its streets anymore."

The President did call on authorities to create new jobs for the pedicab drivers.

His remarks angered the audience, including activists from the Urban Poor Consortium, which organized the event. The consortium has been active in its support of pedicab drivers.

"Gus Dur's statement is a realistic view of the city," Sutiyoso said.

The governor said pedicab drivers who were Jakarta residents would be given training to allow them to find new jobs.

For non-Jakarta residents, the city administration will pay for them to return to their hometowns, he said.

The city administration also will offer pedicab drivers the opportunity to join the transmigration program, he added.

Sutiyoso urged the City Council not to revoke Bylaw No. 11/1988 banning pedicabs from operating in the capital.

The governor declared earlier this year he would allow pedicab drivers to work in the city because of the prolonged economic crisis.

However, he reversed this statement after the number of pedicab drivers in the capital increased significantly.

Activists from the Urban Poor Consortium and pedicab drivers have held several protests at the City Council building to demand the revocation of Bylaw No. 11/1988. (jun)