The Rise Of Illegal Parking In The Istiqlal Mosque Area Occurs Due To Restrictions On Official Areas

Istiqlal Mosque Area/ Photo; Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - The problem of illegal parking that has continued to mushroom for years in front of the Istiqlal Mosque, Central Jakarta, has become the homework of a number of related agencies, including the Central Jakarta Metro Police Traffic Unit (Satlantas).

In this case, the police suggested that parking bags in the Istiqlal Mosque area and the Cathedral Church be legalized during religious events.

The suggestion follows a case of illegal levies (Pungli) in the Istiqlal Mosque area which set a price of IDR 150,000 for visitors.

"If there are big events like motherland, we will coordinate, maybe they can be legalized. The reason is, parking bags inside the Istiqlal Mosque are not enough to accommodate visitor vehicles, especially on big days," said Head of Traffic at the Central Jakarta Metro Police, Kompol Gomos Simamora to reporters, Monday, May 13.

According to Kompol Gomos, many visitors did not get parking bags during Friday prayers. This is what makes the illegal parking boom around the Istiqlal Mosque.

"If we look together on Friday, the congregation is very crowded, especially the vehicle. The parking bag here cannot be fulfilled," he said.

The police will coordinate with the Department of Transportation and a number of stakeholders regarding the suggestion to legalize parking locations. Especially parking bags in the Istiqlal Mosque Area and the Cathedral Church.