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.
Street Library community denies ‘bike gang’ allegation
The members of the Street Library community denied accusations by Siliwangi Military commander Brig. Gen. Wuryanto that they were actually a “motorcycle gang” posing as book lovers.
Change Size
Street Library in Bandung lends books from a public space to anyone on the streets. Soldiers from the Siliwangi Military Command violently dispersed the community in Taman Cikapayang on Aug. 20. (perpustakaanjalanan.wordpress.com/-)
Arya Dipa
The members of the Street Library community denied accusations by Siliwangi Military commander Brig. Gen. Wuryanto that they were actually a “motorcycle gang” posing as book lovers.
“The accusation was obviously wrong,” Indra Saputra, one of the community members, said Wednesday.
Wuryanto said Street Library was just a front for a motorcycle gang in Bandung, which was why he ordered his subordinates to disperse the people who were doing the activity from Cikapayang Park on Saturday evening in Bandung.
Indra said the community had spread a love for books since 2010. He said they chose Cikapayang Park because it had better lighting than other parks.
“This park is the city’s icon. Everyone hangs out there: street vendors, pedestrians, young people doing sports, motorcycle clubs sharing experiences. It is a reflection of a resilient city that calls itself a creative city,” Indra told The Jakarta Post.
He said his community not only targeted street children, but it was open to anyone from children and university students to tourists and street vendors. He said the community had a wide array of books from general subjects to finance, as well as magazines. They bring the books every week to the park.
Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil had expressed regret over the incident, during which some members reported that they had been beaten.
“According to the military command, the position of the library was near a motorcycle gang. I think it was a misunderstanding,” he said.
