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)