UPC seeks pedicab total with registration, license scheme

JAKARTA (JP): Securing President Abdurrahman Wahid's blessing for becak (pedicab) to operate in residential areas, the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), which coordinates pedicab drivers in the capital, has begun registering becak and issuing licenses to drivers.

UPC chairwoman Wardah Hafidz said the registration was meant to ascertain the actual number of pedicabs and pedicab drivers in Jakarta.

"We want to know the exact number of becak in each becak pool and the required number of becak in each neighborhood," she told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Pedicab registration tags are sold for Rp 3,500 each (50 US cents), Rp 2,500 of which is for the tag and Rp 1,000 of which goes into a savings account set up for pedicab drivers. Each driver must also have an identity card which is sold for Rp 1,000, Rp 500 of which goes into the savings account.

"Through the registration system, we can set up a savings account for becak drivers. The savings can be used to buy spare parts or cover maintenance costs," she said.

Currently, some 4,000 pedicabs in Jakarta have been registered by UPC. According to data from the city administration, there are more than 6,000 pedicabs across the city.

The registration program, however, was criticized by Governor Sutiyoso on Tuesday. "An NGO should persuade city residents to take part in positive activities, not misleading ones.

"Their (UPC) efforts put me in a difficult position because the City Council has urged me to settle the becak problem in the capital."

"Therefore, I will continue with the plan to cleanse the city of becak," he said, while emphasizing that he cared about the poor.

Sutiyoso said the city administration offered to purchase pedicabs for Rp 250,000 from drivers willing to enter a new profession.

The President signaled his approval for pedicabs to operate in residential areas during a meeting on Monday at Merdeka Palace with activists from some 30 non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"I approached Gus Dur during the meeting on Monday .... He said that he decided to allow becak to operate in residential areas, saying he would contact Governor Sutiyoso by phone (to discuss the issue)," Wardah said referring to the President by his nickname.

The President's latest stance on this issue contradicts a statement he made before some 10,000 impoverished city residents on Nov. 20. At that time, the President said pedicab drivers should think of changing professions and that he backed Sutiyoso's plan to remove all pedicabs from the city.

Choice

Wardah said driving a pedicab was neither disgraceful nor humiliating. "We earn our money through our own sweat by driving becak," Wardah quoted pedicab drivers as saying.

She said most pedicab drivers in the city previously worked in factories, making a similar amount of money to what they earn driving pedicabs.

"They chose to drive becak because they feel freer because they can manage their time more flexibly," Wardah said.

She said the drivers would be willing to change professions if the city administration could provide them better-paying jobs.

"It's natural to choose a better job, but it should be of their own volition.

"Why is Governor Sutiyoso so arrogant, refusing to hear the voice of poor residents? He doesn't care about the poor," she said, while suggesting Sutiyoso should resign.

"Becak are pollution-free vehicles and don't contain any imported parts. What else can you ask for," she asked.

She also criticized the City Council for endorsing the governor's policy instead of complying with the demands of residents. "City councilors should listen to the demands of the residents and not become the city administration's rubber stamp."

Wardah said she asked pedicab drivers to operate only in residential areas and traditional markets.

"The drivers will take care of their fellow drivers and warn each other not to operate on the streets and on highways."

Council Speaker Eddy Waluyo said on Wednesday the decision to remove all pedicabs from the streets of Jakarta was final.

"UPC's action has interfered with regulations and could be a bad precedent for other city residents, who may use force to get their demands endorsed," Eddy said.

Councilor Posman Siahaan from the Justice and Unity Party (PKP) urged city authorities to prosecute Wardah.

"UPC's activities have offended the legitimate administration," he said. "Becak drivers will take it for granted that it is legal to operate in the city." (05)