Sutiyoso revokes his decision on pedicabs

JAKARTA (JP): After only seven days of allowing becak (pedicabs) to operate again in the city, Governor Sutiyoso changed his mind yesterday and revoked his own decision on the man-powered three-wheeled vehicles.

Sutiyoso suddenly ordered the vehicles banned again on the grounds that pedicab drivers had violated forbidden areas by operating not only in alleys and small streets, but on major thoroughfares as well.

"I apologize for going back on the existing regulation which forbids the operation of pedicabs in the city streets. So starting from now on pedicabs are forbidden again.

"I should protect the wider interest of creating traffic order in the city," he said, reminding that his decision to allow pedicabs to return was only temporary.

Sutiyoso announced his decision to allow the return of pedicabs last Thursday, after 10 years of being banned from operating in the capital, to provide job opportunities for the unemployed in the current monetary crisis.

The decision, however, would be nullified when the country's economy recovers, the governor said at that time.

City Ordinance No. 11/1988 states that Jakarta is a pedicab free area and prohibits any pedicabs from operating at anytime, anywhere around the capital.

The authorities launched a series of massive operations against pedicabs after the enactment of the ordinance.

Hundreds of pedicabs were netted and their drivers sent back to their hometowns. There were reportedly serious clashes between pedicab drivers and law and order officers during the crackdown.

Moreover, according to an official of the city's public order office, Toha Reno, two or three city officials died during the raids against pedicabs in North Jakarta.

Sutiyoso said that he would instruct the city's five mayors to keep an eye on the man-powered vehicles.

"People who want to make a living during the economic crisis, must look for other kinds of jobs then. I ask you becak drivers to return to the places you came from," he said.

According to data at the city's five mayoralties, 1,238 pedicabs have been brought back to the city since Sutiyoso allowed their return.

West Jakarta Mayor Sutardjianto said that he would crack down on the pedicabs' operation in his area and would then store them in a warehouse belonging to the public order office in Cakung, East Jakarta.

"I want West Jakarta to be free of pedicabs within one to two months," he said.

There are an estimated 600 pedicabs in the area, he said.

Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah said that he would also ask owners of 288 becak in the mayoralties to send them back to their previous location.

Similar action will also been taken in the East Jakarta mayoralty, where 100 pedicabs are operating, and North Jakarta mayoralty with about 250 pedicabs.

Meanwhile South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko said that there were no pedicabs found in his area. "But I will deploy a group of officials to prevent becak from entering here."

Executive director of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) Zumrotin K Soesilo said yesterday that the governor's change of mind shows that the administration does not have a trustworthy attitude.

"It shows that the administration only produces reactive policies which follow the development of an issue among the public. It seems that officials are only looking for popularity, following the people's will."

Separately, hundreds of becak from Tangerang, had been sent to Jakarta by their owners, hoping for better incomes.

A pedicab driver at the Perumnas housing complex in Tangerang, identified as Amir, 30, said, "Trucks have transported becak with their drivers to Jakarta."

H. Karnawi, 45, who owns 100 pedicabs, said he had sent half of the fleet to the capital as he was asked by a Jakarta businessman. "Maybe they can get better incomes there," he said.

Hundreds of other becak from Ciledug in Tangerang have also been transported to Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. (ind/41)