Unregistered motorbikes seized

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

At least 1,400 unregistered motorcycles, mostly used as ojek (motorcycle taxis) in Sukabumi district, have been confiscated by the police over the past several weeks.

Sukabumi Police chief Comr. Pujiono Dulrahman said the operation was aimed at getting rid of the town's image as a repository of stolen motorcycles.

"This three month operation was carried out to mend our image -- especially in the Pelabuhan Ratu district -- as a dumping place for stolen motorcycles," he said.

The police precinct, which is under the jurisdiction of Bogor City Police, had previously conducted a campaign to encourage the local community to register their motorcycles.

The campaign was followed by two clampdowns. In the first clampdown only warnings were issued; in the second, persons riding unregistered motorcycles were hit with fines and their bikes confiscated, he added.

"The owners of the motorcycles can claim their machines back once they present us with the appropriate legal documents," Pujiono said.

He added that the operation was also conducted because of the high level of motorcycle theft in Bogor.

Seized motorcycles without police registration numbers, or those that have not been claimed within three months, will be put up for auction, according to Pujiono.

"Money from the auction will go into state coffers," he said.