Uncertified airport cabbies caught

Uncertified airport cabbies caught

JAKARTA (JP): At least 62 taxi drivers operating at the
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport without accreditation were
arrested on Wednesday for allegedly extorting money from
Indonesian workers returning from overseas.

Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto Iskandar, Tangerang Police Precinct
chief, told Antara the crackdown came following numerous
complaints about extortion ploys of either charging passengers
exorbitant rates or directly demanding additional money.

"The operation of the illegal taxi drivers at the arrival
terminals has far exceeded the tolerable level as they frighten
not only the workers and passengers coming home from abroad, but
also foreign tourists," Pudji said.

Drivers were required to sign a statement declaring that they
would no longer illegally operate at the airport and allowing the
authorities to impound their vehicles for 10 hours, he added.

By signing the statement, the drivers acknowledged they could
be prosecuted for tarnishing the country's image for foreign
tourists and foreigners intending to do business in Indonesia.

The police also arrested 22 uncertified porters and 34 people
who operated their private cars as taxis. (hhr)