The Illegal Parking Case Of The Istiqlal Mosque Is Not The First Time It Has Happened

Two illegal parking attendants who were detained by officers in the Istiqlal Mosque area/ Photo: ISt

JAKARTA The case of a car driver being 'hit' parked up to Rp. 150,000 in the Istiqlal Mosque area, Central Jakarta is not the only time this has happened. The same incident occurred in 2023, where a motorcyclist was charged a tariff of Rp. 10,000 by two thugs.

A resident, through social media, said that he was charged a parking fee of Rp. 10,000 per motorbike.

The victim admitted that it was the first time he had prayed at Istiqlal and wanted to perform Maghrib prayers. Then, he asked whether or not there was a parking lot in the mosque.

Because he was answered that no one was there, he also parked his vehicle in an inappropriate area. However, after returning to the illegal parking area, he was surprised that the parking fee was charged Rp. 10,000.

The incident went viral again on social media, and the Sawah Besar Police immediately took action.

"It's not a parking lot there, if it's official parking in the basement under the Istiqlal Mosque," said Head of the Sawah Besar Police AKP Dhanar Dhono Vernandhie, Monday, May 15.

"The Sawah Besar Police have appealed to the congregation of the Istiqlal mosque to use parking spaces that have been provided," he said.

As is known, recently a video went viral on social media of illegal levies (extortion) parked unofficially in the Istiqlal Mosque area, Central Jakarta. The driver of the car was collected for IDR 150 thousand after parking on the side of the road in the Istiqlal Mosque area.

Other visitors who use parking on the road are also 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.