Parking Attendant To Collect Rp. 5,000 Claiming To Be Distributed To Local Officials, South Sumatra Coastal Regent Prepares Sanctions

PADANG - The Regent of Pesisir Selatan Regency, West Sumatra, Rusma Yul Anwar confirmed that he would take firm action against local officials who were proven to have practiced illegal levies in tourist areas.

"Don't tarnish the name of the area. We must be grateful for the high interest of tourists coming to the South Coast," he said in Painan as reported by Antara, Thursday, May 5.

Regional officials, both civil servants and honorary staff, should be role models for the community, especially if fees are imposed on tourists because they are regional guests who should receive good service.

One of the netizens who owns a Facebook social media account on behalf of Saskia Salshbila complained that the motorbike parking rates in the Carocok Painan Beach tourist area were considered unreasonable.

According to him, the parking fee of IDR 5,000 for motorbikes is not reasonable. The objection was conveyed to the parking officer, but the officer replied that the money was not only for himself but there were members of the regional apparatus and the police.

"The issue of motorbike parking rates is indeed unreasonable, yes, Rp. 5,000 per motorbike, but according to the parking attendant, the amount of the tariff is not only for himself, but there is a distribution of rations for individual officers," he wrote.

He wrote the complaint when he commented on the status of an account on behalf of Suhardi Rangminang who wrote about food prices in the Carocok Painan area, but netizens responded that the pecel price of Rp. 20 thousand to Rp. 25 thousand per portion was still reasonable.

Rusma Regent Yul Anwar said tourism is the main source of regional economic growth for the future as a substitute for the primary sector which naturally continues to decline.

"We don't want the plan to be disrupted because of the actions of such individuals, so action needs to be taken," he said.

In addition, he appealed to tourists who come to the South Coast to ask for an official ticket issued by the region as proof of payment of entrance fees and parking fees.

If you find any irregularities, he said, please report or write directly to the district government regarding the irregularities by attaching a valid ID.

Previously, he claimed to have reminded all regional officials not to tarnish the good name of regional tourism with actions that are not in accordance with the rules.

Tourists must get good service so that they feel safe and comfortable while on vacation and traveling on the South Coast.

"They are our guests who we should respect as they should be," he said.