Sutiyoso upholds ban on pedicabs

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday he would take every effort to prevent becak (pedicab) drivers from operating in the capital during his term of office.

He said the drivers, along with the rest of the poor, were free to channel their votes to any party, but they had to know that regulations could only be revoked in accordance with proper procedures.

City Ordinance No. 11/1988 bans the operation of pedicabs in Jakarta and designates the capital as a pedicab-free area.

Sutiyoso made the remarks following an announcement by the non-governmental organization, the Urban Poor Consortium, to coordinate poor people, including pedicab drivers, to vote for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

In exchange for the votes, the party was asked to give a written guarantee allowing pedicab divers to operate freely in Jakarta, if it wins the elections.

City councilor Agus Waluyo of Commission E for social welfare said it was easy for organizations to coordinate the poor to vote for particular parties, but it was not an easy matter to revoke an ordinance.

"The revocation of any ordinance requires the support of at least two-thirds of city council members," Agus said.

He added that another procedure would require the establishment of a team to study the ordinance in question.

"City ordinances are not jokes. They are made after thorough studies and discussions." (ylt)