DKI DPRD asks Pak Ogah and Human Cart to be disciplined, encourages humanistic solution

Member of the DKI Jakarta DPRD from the PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) Faction, Hardiyanto Kenneth. (DKI DPRD doc)

JAKARTA - The increasingly severe Jakarta traffic jam is not only triggered by the heavy volume of vehicles, but also by the prevalence of "Pak Ogah" at a number of intersections and roundabouts in Jakarta, one of which is in the Grogol Petamburan area, West Jakarta.

This phenomenon has become a serious focus of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Member from the PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) Faction, Hardiyanto Kenneth, who assessed that the illegal traffic arrangement practice not only exacerbated congestion, but also endangered the safety of motorists.

According to him, the Pak Ogah phenomenon is no longer just a common social problem, but has entered the category of public order disorders which have a direct impact on the safety of motorists and the smoothness of traffic flow.

"We received many complaints from the public regarding the presence of Mr. Ogah who stood in the middle of the road, forcing him to regulate vehicle traffic without authority and without safety standards. This is very risky, both for two-wheeled and four-wheeled drivers. A little mistake in coordination can lead to an accident," Kenneth said in his statement, Thursday, March 5.

Bang Kent - nickname of Hardiyanto Kenneth - explained that Pak Ogah's actions, which often stopped vehicles suddenly, gave signals that were not synchronized with traffic lights, to force drivers to give money, actually exacerbated the traffic jam, which has become a chronic problem in Jakarta.

"Instead of helping to solve congestion, this practice often slows down the flow of vehicles. At some points, their presence creates bottlenecks or narrowing of the flow because drivers become hesitant and uncomfortable when passing," added the Member of Commission C of the DKI Jakarta DPRD.

Kent emphasized that traffic regulation is the official authority of the police such as the Transportation Service and the Police, which have training and legal responsibilities. When this function is taken over by parties that do not have legal competence and protection, the potential for conflict and accidents becomes very large.

Furthermore, the Chairman of the IKAL PPRA LXII Lemhannas RI encouraged the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to take firm but humane steps in dealing with this issue. He also provided several solutions, including:

1. Routine and Measurable Order

Satpol PP together with the Transportation Service needs to carry out regular patrols at vulnerable points that are often used as locations for Pak Ogah's practices, especially in the reverse, intersection without lights, and access to protocol roads.

2. Traffic Engineering Optimization

The many Pak Ogah appear because of the gap in the unorganized traffic system, such as wild U-turns or intersections without clear arrangements. The Provincial Government needs to evaluate the road design and add signs, barriers, or official officers at crucial points.

3. Social Approach and Guidance

"Enforcement is not enough just with raids. The government must list and direct them to training programs, job training, or labor-intensive programs so that they have legal and safer alternative income.

4. Education to the Community

Drivers also need to be educated not to give money to Pak Ogah because this practice actually strengthens their presence on the streets.

Kent emphasized that Jakarta as a metropolitan city must guarantee the safety and comfort of all road users.

"Public safety is the top priority. There must be no allowance for activities that have the potential to cause accidents and congestion. The government must come up with concrete, firm solutions, but still pay attention to the humanitarian aspect," he said.

Apart from the prevalence of the "Pak Ogah" phenomenon, the Head of the Disaster Management Agency (BAGUNA) of the DPD PDIP DKI Jakarta also highlighted the existence of human carts during the holy month of Ramadan until Eid al-Fitr. According to him, this issue is not just an issue of city beauty, but a social-economic issue that must be handled comprehensively and equitably.

"Every year, after Lebaran, Jakarta always faces a classic challenge, an increase in new arrivals who come in the hope of finding a better job and life. On the other hand, we also see the rise of Pak Ogah at intersections and human carts who survive in public spaces. This is a social reality that cannot be dealt with only with a law enforcement approach," said Kent.

He explained that the existence of human carts and other vulnerable groups reflects the still existing problems of extreme poverty and limited access to decent work in the capital.

As a representative of the people in Kebon Sirih, Kent asked the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to strengthen cross-departmental coordination, ranging from the Social Service, the Labor Service, to the Satpol PP, so that the handling is carried out in a coordinated and sustainable manner.

"Population administration supervision needs to be tightened. Not only to limit the rights of citizens, but to ensure that every immigrant has a clear purpose, place of residence, and readiness to work. Coordination with RT/RW and villages must be optimized," said Kent.

In addition, Kent asked the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to expand the labor-intensive program at the level of sub-districts and sub-districts as a long-term solution. Thus, residents who have not been absorbed into the formal sector can still have a decent income without having to take to the streets.

"The crackdown by Satpol PP and related officials must be carried out humanely and persuasively, not repressive. A humanitarian approach is the key to ensuring that the solutions taken do not trigger new social problems," he said.

Kent emphasized that Jakarta as a global city must be able to show firm governance but remain humane.

"Jakarta is not only owned by one group, but also not a city without rules. We must be able to maintain order and safety together, while ensuring that no citizens are marginalized. The government must be present to provide solutions, not just carry out raids," he said.

He also invited all elements of society to jointly maintain city order and support government policies that are in the interests of the people.

"If we want Jakarta to be advanced and orderly, then the handling of social issues must be carried out from upstream to downstream. Starting from the origin area through synergy between local governments, to coaching in Jakarta. This is not the work of one party, but a shared responsibility," he concluded.