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Planned fuel subsidy scheme faces backlash from ‘ojol’ drivers
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Nov. 27 that the government would only provide subsidized fuel to vehicles with yellow license plates, the plates used for public transportation and trucks.
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Drivers of ojek (motorcycle taxis) participate in a mass demonstration on Aug. 22, 2024, in front of the House of Representatives building. (JP/Salman M. Vermonte)
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pp-based ride-hailing drivers have rejected a planned fuel subsidy scheme that would shut out users of private vehicles, despite a proposal from the government to reimburse low-income drivers through cash transfers.
Online four-wheeled and two-wheeled taxi drivers have threatened to stage mass protests if the government does not listen to their demands.
“If online drivers cannot receive or fulfill [the criteria to receive] subsidized fuel, there will certainly be a wave of mass demonstrations throughout Indonesia to protest the government’s decision,” said Two-Wheeler Action Movement (Garda) leader Igun Wicaksono on Sunday, as reported by Kumparan.
Read also: Bahlil unveils new fuel subsidy scheme
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Nov. 27 that the government would only provide subsidized fuel to vehicles with yellow license plates, the plates used for public transportation and trucks.
Ride-hailing drivers have black, private-vehicle license plates. The government has yet to acknowledge ride-hailing as public transportation even though the Transportation Ministry has started regulating the prices of such services.
Currently, all vehicles owners are, in practice, able to purchase subsidized fuel, even if they are not eligible, but the government only intends the subsidies for low-income Indonesians.
