JAKARTA - The increasingly massive spread of COVID-19 has undeniably resulted in a sense of concern. Thus, many people choose to carry out local quarantine by closing road access in line with the implementation of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) by the government.
Closure of road access, which aims to prevent the spread of the virus, is actually used by certain individuals to seek profit. They ask or collect money from motorists who want to pass through the closed road access.
Reporting from era.id, illegal levies in the name of local quarantine occurred in the RW 02 area, Cipinang Besar Utara Village, Jatinegara District, East Jakarta. Individuals pay tens of thousands of dollars for motorists who wish to cross the road. In fact, this access is the main road connection.
The head of the local Rukun Warga (RW), Sunadi, confirmed the illegal fees. According to him, there are roads that are closed connecting RW 02, RW 03 and RW 04 to Jalan Inspeksi Kalimalang.
"For a car (pays) Rp. 20,000, for a motorbike Rp. 5,000. The person usually uses the code language 'sorry sir can't pass'. Once given the money, the road is opened," said Sunadi, Monday, April 13.
The local quarantine around the area has been going on for about a week. The illegal levies are also thought to have been going on since the beginning of this local quarantine.
The illegal levies are not directed at everyone. Most of their targets are traders and cars transporting building materials that cross this road.
"There are people guarding the route, if they give them a pass with residents. But if traders, material cars or outsiders are coded, when the money is received, then the road blockade will be opened," said Sunadi.
Furthermore, he said, this illegal levy has been reported to the relevant authorities, including the RW and sub-district management so that it can be followed up.
Jatinegara Police Chief, Kompol Darmo Suhartono, said the police had not received any information or reports about the practice of this illegal levy. So, members of the criminal investigation unit will first investigate whether the action is true or not. When the alleged illegal prosecution is found, the perpetrator will be punished in accordance with the applicable regulations.
"There is no report yet but we will follow up with this information. Criminal officers go directly to the location to investigate," Darmo briefly.
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