Residents to sue toll road operator, minister

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 09/03/2007 2:08 PM  |  Jakarta

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

A group of Tangerang residents plans to file a class action lawsuit against turnpike operator PT Jasa Marga and Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto following Thursday's decision to raise the turnpike tariff.

The plan was initiated by businessman Tjandra Tedja who lives in Sector VII of the Bintaro housing complex in Tangerang's Pondok Aren area.

Tjandra said he had begun collecting signatures from his neighbors, who were predominately commuters who used the toll road service to go to their offices in Jakarta every day.

""From my neighborhood, I will continue collecting signatures in the Puri Bintaro housing complex, Graha Bintaro, Sector II, IV and V and will stop on Sept. 4. My target is to reach 1,000 signatures,"" he said.

The government announced on the weekend it would raise tolls on other expressways on Sept. 4. The toll hikes, of around 20 percent on average, will affect 13 turnpikes in eight regions across the country.

According to Tjandra, the signatures of 10 residents would be enough to file a class action lawsuit against the government, but he will try to collect 1,000 signatures as proof the price hike will affect a great deal of commuters.

Several non-government organizations and law firms, including the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, Fakta Legal Aid Institute and Adnan Buyung Nasution and Partners Law Office, have expressed their willingness to take part in the lawsuit.

""We will challenge the government's move to increase tolls imposed on several expressways linked to the Jakarta Outer Ring Road, and also challenge a government regulation which orders the increase of toll road prices every two years,"" he said.

A 2004 law stipulates the toll road operator must adjust turnpike prices according to the inflation rate every two years.

""I think the toll road operator and the government have robbed the people by increasing the turnpike price,"" Tjandra said.

Indonesian Consumers Foundation executive chairman Daryatmo said a class action lawsuit was the best way to protest against the government's decision.

""We will support the initiative and follow up the lawsuit,"" he said.

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