Calling The National Police Chief, Jokowi Asks Thugs Who Troubled Container Drivers In Tanjung Priok To Be Brushed

President Jokowi in Tanjung Priok (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo immediately called the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, after hearing complaints from drivers regarding the practice of thuggery and extortion at Tanjung Priok Port.

"Sir Police, I am in Tanjung Priok, there are many complaints from container 'drivers' related to illegal fees at Fortune, at NPCT 1 (New Priok Container Terminal), then at Depo Dwipa. First, President Jokowi said at the Tanjung Priok Port Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Thursday, June 10.

"Yes, sir", replied the Chief of Police.

"Secondly, when there are traffic jams, there are many 'drivers' who are barked at by thugs. Please resolve these complaints. That's all Sir", said the President,

"Yes, sir", replied the Chief of Police.

President Jokowi did receive complaints from container drivers who work back and forth daily at the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) Pier and Koja Container Terminal, at Tanjung Priok Port.

The President asked the truth of complaints from social media, especially many drivers who complained about loading and unloading matters.

"Please tell us the problem later so we can find a way out and we don't have to be afraid of the Minister or the leaders at the port here, tell me what it is, if there is a way out, I'll find a way out as soon as possible", said the President.

Agung Kurniawan, a container driver then told about the crimes that occurred at the port.

"During traffic jams, these container drivers have their goods taken. In Tanjung Priok, they call it Asmoron, Sir, when it's jammed, take things from the vehicle secretly, there are also thugs organized in areas prone to getting into cars", said Agung.

"This is a container, So how can the goods be picked up?", asked the President.

Agung admitted that the vehicle items in question were tires, batteries, sometimes also personal belongings, such as cellphones and money. The container driver admitted that if the traffic jam conditions there were people who suddenly got into the car and brought sickles and held the driver at the point.

"If you dare to get into the car, you are held at gunpoint, asked for our belongings, 'mobile phones', wallets, road money that runs out from drivers from out of town", said Agung.

He admitted that no one in the surrounding community dared to help, even when it was crowded.

"Back then, no one dared to help, Sir. Even though it was front, back, side, right, all vehicles, and all of them were people, and that was very concerning, because he was afraid that if his position later he helped, the thugs would attack back at him. So he prefers the glass lid and it's very worrying Sir", said Agung.

Hearing these complaints, Jokowi again asked whether the muggings were still happening.

"Still, Sir, but not like before, it has been minimized, now we know each other, let's help together", said Agung.

"Then the levy from Depo Fortune, NPCT 1, and Depo Dwipa is it true or not?", asked the President.

"That's right, Sir. (They) ask for something in return, if you don't give it sometimes it's slowed. That's really true, like Fortune, Dwipa, almost all depots. cThat's sir. What I have noticed now is that the Seacon Depot and Puninar Depot are a bit clean. Others almost have extortion, Sir", replied a driver who claimed his name was Abdul Hakim Sitompul.

"Who's the extortionist?", asked the President.

"From the employee", replied Hakim.

"For example, We're bringing the container, want to take the goods in an empty container. Well, we report it, right. Take it. There must be a tip, he said 'Is it okay?' or five thousand, sometimes IDR 15 thousand, some are IDR 20 thousand. That, if it is not given, then it is still being carried out, only slowed down. The reason is, 'The one over there, the one with the money', but they don't want to talk, Sir. So that's about it, Mr. extortion in the depot, Sir", explained Hakim.

As for thuggery, according to the judge, the root of the problem is traffic jams.

"If it goes smoothly, this (thuggery) may not exist, Sir. So this is our problem, this is the original traffic jam, sir. For example, yesterday's traffic jam was already viral, at that time the name was 'naudzubillah min dzalik' traffic jam. the highway from post 8 to there from the north, Cakung is jammed again, that's where thuggery happens", said Hakim.

The judge also asked President Jokowi to find a solution to the problem of extortion and thuggery.

"We are really hurt, Sir. There is no comfort for drivers who drive in Tanjung Priok, and not to mention from outside the city, almost all thuggery and extortion are many, maybe you already know", said Hakim.

Regarding these complaints, the President also admitted that he would continue to follow the development of problem solving after calling the National Police Chief.

"I have direct orders to the National Police Chief to be checked in the field and will immediately report to me. This has also been heard by the Metro Police Chief, but I did not give direct orders, but orders to the National Police Chief so that everything is clear and can be resolved in the field. I will follow this process", said the President.