Waste Truck Driver in Sumur Batu Allegedly Extorted by Local Women, Police Say Not First Incident

BEKASI – Allegations of illegal extortion (pungli) targeting waste truck drivers in Gang Lurah, Sumur Batu District, Bantargebang Subdistrict, Bekasi City, have resurfaced following a viral video of a driver’s confession on social media.

Bantargebang Police Chief Commissioner Sukadi stated that police had previously followed up on similar reports by conducting a direct inspection of the location. He noted that such practices were not new to the area.

“I had already instructed my officers to check the location yesterday. They said there was no extortion. But now it’s appearing again—I don’t understand what’s happening,” Sukadi said when contacted on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

However, the route serves as an alternative because the main access road to the Sumur Batu Final Waste Disposal Site (TPA) has suffered a landslide and is impassable.

As a result, waste trucks have been diverted through Gang Lurah. Nevertheless, Sukadi emphasised that extortion practices by anyone cannot be justified.

“Whatever it’s called, extortion by local residents is prohibited and not allowed,” he stated firmly.

Regarding the video posted by the Instagram account @radar_bekasi, which shows a truck driver claiming his vehicle was attacked when he failed to provide money whilst passing through, Sukadi urged the driver to file an official report immediately.

“Let him file a report with me. I will process it, and if necessary, I will arrest the perpetrators,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sumur Batu District Secretary Budi Sulistyo explained that the alleged attacks on drivers were not due to refusal to pay money, but rather stemmed from violations of an agreement made between residents and relevant parties.

“It’s because they violated the rules. According to the information I received, there was no coercion regarding the money request. But regardless of the form, extortion is still not justified,” Budi said.

Budi explained that the use of the environmental road was an emergency solution agreed upon to address congestion caused by long queues of waste trucks heading to the TPA.

“The original agreement was to address congestion. However, the reality is that the trucks are still using this road,” Budi said.

He noted that residents felt affected because the road, originally designated for environmental activities, is now being used by large waste-carrying vehicles.