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Jakarta Post

Assault victim expresses remorse over dismissal of ‘ojek’ driver

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Wed, August 15, 2018

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Assault victim expresses remorse over dismissal of ‘ojek’ driver Some activists of "Koalisi Pejalan Kaki" (Pedestrians’ Coalition) stage a protest in Menteng Pulo, South Jakarta, on July 21, 2017 to remind motorcyclists to respect pedestrians by not driving on sidewalks. (Antara/ Rivan Awal Lingga )

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lif Supadi revealed on Tuesday that he was the man who was assaulted by an app-based ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver upon his criticisms of motorcyclists who occupy sidewalks in an attempt to skip traffic gridlock in East Jakarta on Aug. 6.

He said he was initially uncomfortable with the sudden media attention, but eventually changed his mind upon realizing that his case could be used to advocate for pedestrian safety.

“People are meant to walk,” he told The Jakarta Post here on Tuesday.

Alif explained how he was driving his motorcycle home along Jl. Jatiwaringin in East Jakarta, during evening rush hour. While stuck in a severe traffic jam, he noticed other motorcyclists driving onto the sidewalk to skip the traffic jam, so he parked at a nearby restaurant and began his “unconventional” activism.

Then, as per the YouTube video uploaded by pedestrian rights group Pedestrians' Coalition, Alif could be seen walking down the sidewalk telling motorcyclists that sidewalks are for pedestrians not motorcycles.

However one app-based ojek driver from ride-hailing company Grab retaliated by shouting back and assaulting Alif. He confirmed that the driver had punched him in his face and hit him with her helmet, albeit not resulting in injuries.

Even so, Alif objected to Grab firing the driver, which happened last Wednesday.

“It’s a pity she [the ojek driver] was fired, because that was how she earned a living,” he said. (nor)

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