From The Exorbitant Parking Rates In Yogyakarta, Which Went Viral, Now There Are Allegations Of Many Other Violations

Deputy Mayor of Yogyakarta Heroe Poerwadi

JAKARTA - The case of parking rates outside the normal limits in the city of Yogyakarta which has gone viral on social media has opened a series of alleged violations. Now there are allegations of violations of health protocols, budget "mark ups", to fraud.

"We are looking into everything. But for sure, we will take firm action against violations that fall into the 'nuthuk' category (applying tariffs beyond the reasonable limit), whether for parking or food," said Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Heroe Poerwadi in Yogyakarta, Thursday, January 20, as reported by Antara.

According to him, the tourist bus that complained about the expensive parking was suspected of violating the health protocol and travel rules for tourists coming to the city of Yogyakarta.

As is known, the City of Yogyakarta implements a "one gate system" policy which requires all tourism buses to carry out inspections at the Giwangan Terminal to ensure all tourists have received vaccinations.

Buses that pass the "screening" will certainly be parked in an official parking lot managed by the Yogyakarta City Government.

“Because these tourism buses choose to park outside the official parking lot, it is very likely that they will not enter Giwangan Terminal for "screening". This has violated the rules of travel to Yogyakarta, especially when PPKM is still doing it. There is no health protocol applied," he said.

Meanwhile, the alleged "mark up" violation, continued Heroe, was based on initial information from the police which stated that the receipt as stated on social media did not come from the parking attendant at the unofficial parking location.

"From initial information, the nominal parking fee of Rp. 350,000 as written on the receipt was deliberately made. However, this information is still being investigated. Is it done by the bus crew or the group leader. Maybe the motive is to make a profit,” he said.

If it is known that the motive for the action leads to a crime, Heroe asserts that a legal process will be followed up.

“It can be suspected in the article of fraud for doing "mark up". It can also be suspected of extortion if it is carried out by a parking attendant. Everything has a criminal offense," he said.

Although complaints about expensive parking rates have resurfaced, Heroe is optimistic that it will not affect the interest of tourists to travel to Yogyakarta.

“If tourists obey the various rules that have been set, they will not encounter such incidents. Everything has been directed, including the official parking location at a predetermined rate," he said.

The Yogyakarta City Government, he continued, had built a joint commitment with parking managers not to apply unreasonable rates.

"Similarly, culinary traders in Malioboro have been asked to set the price of the food menu so that it cannot be 'nuthuk'," he said.