TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Police forbid app-based drivers’ convoy
Change Size
Transportation application drivers protest in Jakarta against raids on their cars and a ministerial regulation. (kompas.com/Robertus Belarminus)
T
he Jakarta Police rejected a plan from some 1,000 application-based taxi drivers to drive in convoy along the streets of the capital on Monday, to protest a regulation that affects their work.
Previously, representatives from Uber, Grab and other operators said the drivers would travel in convoy from the State Palace to the House of Representatives, People’s Consultative Assembly and Transportation Ministry.
“Because they planned to hold a convoy, the police did not issue a permit,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said on Monday as reported by kompas.com.
Awi said representatives of the drivers had met with Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Suntana to discuss the plan on Monday. “They have been told that the protest should not turn into anarchy and, therefore, a convoy is not allowed,” Awi added.
Previously, representatives from each operator said that during the demonstration, the drivers would demand the government revoke Transportation Ministry Regulation No. 32/2016 on online taxi operations.
Among the requirements rejected by the drivers are roadworthy tests for vehicles, a requirement to obtain public transportation driver’s licenses and that vehicles should be owned by operators.
“A number of the articles in the regulation have caused problems for the drivers, who mostly own their cars used for online taxis,” said drivers’ spokesman Andryawal Simanjuntak, adding that with the requirement to pass roadworthy tests, vehicles’ total risks became invalid because the vehicle would take on public transportation status. (bbn)
