Tourists From Jambi Also Hit By Illegal Parking Guard At Istiqlal Mosque

Illustration Of The Jakarta Istiqlal Mosque/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

Thugs and illegal parking attendants in the Istiqlal Mosque area recently went viral on social media after the circulation of a video of a car driver being set at a parking price of IDR 150 thousand on the side of the road.

The driver also recorded the incident and was involved in a heated debate with a number of thugs who claimed to be parking attendants.

In fact, the illegal parking attendant admitted that there were parties responsible even though the parking lot was a illegal parking area.

Even as of last Sunday afternoon, May 12, the whereabouts of the thugs who claimed to be guards of illegal parking were still at the location.

Other visitors who use parking on the road are also still charged a parking fee of IDR 50,000.

According to Maya, one of the tourists from Jambi, she was also asked to pay a parking fee of Rp. 100,000.

"Earlier, I was also asked for Rp. 100,000, then I came here to pray for Rp. 50,000, I debated the parking attendant who was wearing a plaid shirt. He was hard to ask for Rp. 50,000 from the driver, I said here to talk to me. Then finally asked for Rp. 30 thousand," Maya said when confirmed, Monday, May 13.

Then the perpetrator shouted at Maya if they were sincere or not giving the money to the illegal parking attendant.

"Then he said that he was sincere, ma'am? No, we know for sure we will ask for a parking lot like this. But how come it's up to Rp. 50,000. I ask for a follow-up," he said.

Meanwhile, when confirmed, the Head of the Central Jakarta Transportation Sub-dept., Wildan Anwar, did not know about the rampant extortion from illegal parking at the Istiqlal Mosque.

"It will be checked later," he said.

Meanwhile, the police spoke up regarding the incident. Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Susatyo Purnomo Condro said the incident was an old video. In fact, he said, a perpetrator has been arrested.

"The information on the old video and one of the perpetrators has been arrested," he said when confirmed, Monday, May 13.