Tougher penalties needed to put brakes on scalpers

JAKARTA (JP): A police officer said yesterday heavier punishments for scalping were needed to fight the rising tide of people taking money for helping others obtain or renew their driver's licenses.

Head of City Police Internal Affairs Detachment Lt. Col. Nikmat Jayadi said heavier punishment was essential because more scalpers were defying the law.

One hundred and one people were apprehended yesterday in the latest monthly antiscalping operation at the police driver's license unit on Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta, he said.

About 70 of the 101 scalpers who were apprehended were repeat offenders, Nikmat said.

"Being a scalper is against the law, but scalpers do not appear to be afraid of being nabbed," he said.

Article 17 of 1988 City Bylaw Number 11 states that it is illegal for a person to charge money for helping another obtain tickets for public transportation or entertainment, or vehicle related documents unless they have an official permit from the Jakarta Governor to do so.

The crime is punishable only by a fine. The minimum fine is Rp 10,000 and the maximum is Rp 20,000.

"That amount of money doesn't scare scalpers. They get more than that from doing this illegal job," said Nikmat.

Despite their stubbornness, he said, his office would keep apprehending them until they stop.

Police raided the unit at Jl. Daan Mogot at least once a month.

Police take the scalpers to City Police precinct to record their details, then to the city administration social service office in West Jakarta to be fined.

About 1,500 scalpers were apprehended in raids last year, and 70 percent had more than one prior scalping offense, said Nikmat.

He did not deny that some police personnel, including some from the internal affairs unit, moonlighted as scalpers.

At least 15 police were fined for scalping last year, he said.

One of the arrested scalpers, Nurseha, 20, said she was paid Rp 20,000 a day.

"I've worked for a lady, my neighbor, as a scalper here since last year. I get Rp 20,000 a day even if I don't have any customers," she said. (cst)