The drivers of becak (pedicabs) in Jakarta may be able to breathe a sigh of relief after Governor Anies Baswedan promised them a new decree regulating the operation of the vehicles in the capital.

Patinggal, 55, a becak driver, said on Tuesday he was fed up playing cat-and-mouse with Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) personnel over his becak. In the past 10 years, the Karang Anyar resident in Central Jakarta has lost two of his becak, as Satpol PP personnel confiscated the vehicles in two different raids on Muara Angke fish market in North Jakarta, the place where he worked.

“I was drinking a cup of coffee when Satpol PP officers came to the market and took my becak away,” Patinggal said, recalling the painful memory.

Becak first appeared in the capital’s streets in the early 20th century to transport merchants’ goods before going on to transport passengers.

However, a continuous systematic attempt to eliminate the environmentally friendly vehicle has been under way since the late 1990s. In 2007, the Jakarta administration reinforced the ban under a public order bylaw.

Becak drivers have often been blamed for traffic congestion, because they park on city streets waiting for potential passengers, just like ojek (motorcycle taxi) and public minivans.

Patinggal, however, still insists on being a becak driver despite the ban because he has very little capital and a becak costs as little as Rp 500,000 (US$37.50).

By driving a becak, Patinggal earns up to Rp 100,000 a day, enough to pay for the daily needs of his small family.

Another becak driver at the market, Majanada, 50, concurred with Patinggal, saying that he was afraid of the Satpol PP, who would confiscate his source of livelihood, and therefore only rode the vehicle in a limited area, far from the personnel’s sight.

“Three of my fellow becak drivers were raided some time ago near Grand Bay apartment complex in Pluit [North Jakarta]. Since that incident, I purposely avoid the area,” Majanada said.

In his recent statement, Anies said he intended to issue a decree regulating special routes for becak in several residential areas across the city.

Anies argued that becak were still needed in residential areas, especially in North Jakarta, despite the restrictions. He wanted to regulate their operation. “The becak drivers have been playing hide-and-seek with Satpol PP personnel all this time. So, we will draw up a regulation about the becak,” said the governor, adding that he would issue the regulation soon.

Majanada said he felt relief at the governor’s approach to becak drivers. “Thank God, finally the poor like me can work peacefully.”

Transportation expert Darmaningtyas said Anies’ move to allow the operation of becak contravened Bylaw No. 8/2007 on public order, which is still in effect. Article 29 of the bylaw stipulates that becak may not operate as public transportation. Anyone violating the regulation faces 90 days’ imprisonment or a fine of up to Rp 5 million.

“A gubernatorial decree should be based on a superior regulation, which is a bylaw. If the bylaw does not allow the operation of becak in the capital, Anies cannot just make a gubernatorial decree about it,” said the director of the Institute of Transportation Studies (Instran).

Darmaningtyas suggested the governor regulate the use of becak in recreational areas like the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol amusement park, the National Monument (Monas) compound or the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) cultural park “to attract visitors, for the sake of tourism.”

Popular

Luhut confirms Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed rail project will continue

US trade court blocks tariffs in major setback for Trump

Oscar-winning director McQueen returns to art with Tate show