At The Biggest Exhibition In Southeast Asia, Jakarta Bajaj Drivers Are Still Extorted By Members Of Ormas And Transportation Agency

The illustration of bajaj, which is a typical transportation for DKI Jakarta, passes on the highway. (Between)

Bajaj drivers have complained about illegal levies (extortion) from community organizations (ormas) to officers in the Transportation Service (Dishub) uniform at one of the entrance areas of the Jakarta Fair Kemayoran, Central Jakarta (Jakpus).

One of the Bajaj drivers with the initials AR admitted that on the opening night of the Jakarta Fair, all Bajaj who raised passengers would be charged Rp5,000.

"Every time we pull with passengers, we pay Rp. 5,000 to the mass organization. That's different again from the Dishub, just asking for Rp. 200 thousand," said AR in Jakarta, Thursday, June 15, quoted by Antara.

AR explained that apart from mass organizations, he and other Bajaj drivers were also charged Rp. 200 thousand which was paid jointly or Rp. 3,000 per bajaj to one of the elements in the Dishub uniform.

However, the levy was only asked once on the opening night of the Jakarta Fair, Wednesday, June 14 evening.

There are at least 30 bajaj units parked at the entrance area of the largest exhibition in Southeast Asia, or to be precise at door II Gambir Expo, Jalan Benjamin Suaeb, Central Jakarta.

AR admitted that he was forced to pay the levy to one of the mass organizations because they threatened to divert the Bajaj parking lane to illegal motorcycle parking.

"If it's not digitized, we can park motorbikes. Motorcycle parking, (the tariff) for one motorbike is Rp. 10 thousand, if it is replaced by bajaj, it can accommodate five motorbikes. Last year it was withdrawn Rp. 2,000 for passenger transportation, now it is up Rp. 5,000. We also want to fight them, they are 'diayomy' with officers," said AR.

AR admitted that apart from the Bajaj driver, the person in the mass organization also asked for daily contributions from street vendors (PKL) at the Gambir Expo entrance area, precisely on Jalan Benyamin Suaeb.

Meanwhile, Head of the Traffic and Transportation Operational Control Section of the Central Jakarta Transportation Sub-dept., Haryo Bagus Kusuma Dewa, when contacted separately, said the area was the operational area of the North Jakarta Transportation Sub-dept.

However, he requested that the public and drivers of public transportation can report this if there are individuals from the Transportation Sub-Department or in the uniform of the Transportation Agency who ask for illegal levies.

"It is included in the Pademangan area, North Jakarta, not our area. However, if there are photos or names of these individuals, we can trace them and of course they will be subject to sanctions," said Haryo Bagus.