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Jakarta proposes on-the-spot littering fines
Jakarta Governor Basuki âAhokâ Tjahaja Purnama
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Jakarta Governor Basuki âAhokâ Tjahaja Purnama.(thejakartapost.com/Edna Tarigan) (thejakartapost.com/Edna Tarigan)
Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama.(thejakartapost.com/Edna Tarigan)
Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama has proposed on-the-spot fines for those caught red-handed littering, a move which he expects will reduce littering in the city.
The proposal is that anyone found littering be required to pay a fine without going to trial. "An on-site trial for light offense is not necessary because to gather a judge, etc. takes time," Ahok said on Friday.
The governor reminded the people of Jakarta that City Bylaw No.3/2013 on waste management stipulates a fine of Rp 500,000 (US$36.74) for littering.
"The difference between us and other countries,' Ahok continued. 'is that if you litter in other countries, you pay a fine, for example of $500, without any trial. If you were required to pay Rp 5 million, wouldn't that hurt?'
'Meanwhile, many [Jakartans] wouldn't care if the city authorities just sent the fine letter to our house to ask us to pay through a bank within 48 hours," Ahok added.
According to the governor, an on-the-spot fine policy should be included in planned revisions for the Criminal Code.
"So, if you got caught for littering, you'd have to pay an according fine, for example, as high as the minimum wage in Jakarta. If you didn't want to pay, you'd be required to sweep the city streets for a certain number of days," Ahok said. (bbn)(+)
