“Before entering the busway lane, the minister’s assistant had coordinated with traffic police officers on the field, asking them to find a way for the minister so that he could arrive on time [to the Presidential Palace] to attend a meeting with President,” Mampang Police chief Comr. Risto Samudera, told reporters after a meeting with the minister at Risto’s office.    

Minister Salim made headlines on Tuesday after using a busway lane in Mampang.

A picture of his car in the lane, with an “RI 32” number plate, was snapped by a media-savvy commuter and posted on Twitter.

The police decision was in contrast to a previous statement made by the head of the city’s transportation agency M. Tauchid, who said Tuesday that fire engines and ambulances were the only other vehicles permitted to use busway lanes in emergency situations only.

On Wednesday morning, Salim visited Mampang Police office to explain the breach.

“I’m ready if the regulation says I broke the law. All citizens are equal before the law,” he said.  

The 30-minute meeting finally ended with the police releasing the minister, a politician from
the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

“We understand that Pak Salim urgently needed to arrive at the Presidential Palace,” Risto said.  
Salim is not the only big wig misusing his official privileges.

In 2004, not long after the launch of the busway in February, vice president Hamzah Haz also used the lane illegally.

Salim claimed Tuesday he had no other choice but to enter the busway lane in Mampang Prapatan, an area notorious for its gridlock, but later apologized to the public through his Twitter account.

“Thank you for your feedback about today’s incident. I do apologize to the public,” he said.

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