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Union leader, governor hopeful now eviction victim
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 10/10/2008 10:47 AM | City
As veteran chief of the Indonesian Becak Driver union, Rasdullah clearly recalls the day in July 1998 when thousands of becak (pedicab) drivers clogged Jakarta's streets protesting the city authorities' ruling to ban them from the capital.
In the decade since then, Rasdullah has fought many more battles, from becak rallies to running for government, and more recently against the bulldozing of his home at BMW park in North Jakarta six weeks ago.
In August, 4,000 residents were evicted from Bersih, Manusiawi and Wibawa (Clean, Humane and Dignified) park, known locally as BMW park, with many including Rasdullah having their homes demolished by city bulldozers in a raid.
The term "park" can be a misleading label for BMW. More accurately it is a piece of barren land devoid of trees and greenery near Ancol toll road, North Jakarta. The government regards homes in the area as undocumented buildings, and so Rasdullah has been forced to relocate to a three-by-three meter bamboo shack on the edge of the park.
Rasdullah is no stranger to eviction and hardship. Since moving to Jakarta in 1977, he has lived in Karang Anyar, Jembatan Besi, Kali Adem, Kali Jodo and Muara Baru -- and has been evicted from every site.
"The places I used to live may keep being flattened but with my profession (becak driver) I can live anywhere, as long as there is a place to sleep", Rasdullah said.
His situation radically changed in 1998 when the governor of the time, Sutiyoso, revoked a decision allowing becak drivers to operate in the city. The ruling triggered protests, organized in part by Rasdullah, who saw a chance to improve the rights of becak drivers.
"We protested and spent the night at the City Council. The public order officers confiscated our becak and rebuked us the next day," said Rasdullah.
"I made clear to my fellow becak drivers that there were people who would stand up for us and help us gain access to the government, or our profession would be banned forever," said Rasdullah in reference to an NGO assisting their cause.
Although the protest efforts failed to sway government opinion, Rasdullah, now in his mid-40s, has never ceased campaigning for the working rights of becak drivers.
"I am still chief of the Indonesian Becak Driver Union," Rasdullah said.
Hailing from the West Java town of Cirebon, Rasdullah made history in 2002 when he became the first-ever becak driver to register as a candidate for Jakarta governor. Up against 71 other candidates, including the then incumbent governor Sutiyoso, Rasdullah faced a hard race from the outset.
"I was laughed at by everyone. The election committee asked me about my competence in leading a big organization like the Jakarta administration," Rasdullah said. Arguing his right for candidature, Rasdullah said the contest for leadership was based on democracy.
"A governor leads an organization called the city administration, while I lead an organization called the Becak Drivers Union. It is an organization all the same," he said.
When the committee questioned him about his education background, Rasdullah said there were two kinds of education channels, formal and informal.
"I took the informal one for 24 hours a day. I have an in-depth knowledge about grassroots people. I learned from becak drivers, meatball sellers, farmers and peasants every time I met them," said Rasdullah.
As for his leadership goals, Rasdullah said, "I would organize the poor people, their places of living, their jobs."
"They might be street singers, becak drivers, side-street vendors, or even beggars, but all must be fairly treated and organized in this city," said Rasdullah as he put on his caping (a cone-shaped bamboo hat) in preparation for work.
While Rasdullah may have failed to become governor, life goes on.
"Being a becak driver is a suitable profession for me, as I can live and work anywhere," the father of five said. (pmf)
