Extortionists Argue That Money For Road Maintenance In The Sidebu Tourism Area Of North Sumatra Makes Visitors Anxious

DOK IS

MEDAN - Illegal levies (extortion) again occurred in the tourist area of Sidebu Debu sulfur hot springs, Karo Regency, North Sumatra. This disturbing extortion is also shared on social media.

From the video circulating, a resident is seen showing off a payment ticket of IDR 5,000 per person for access to tourist sites. Not only once, the extortion was carried out twice by different groups.

"It's starting to run RUNNING this tourist spot is going to the dust"!! Asked for payment twice, isn't that crazy!" wrote the resident in his video narration.

"This has been paid, bro, it was said that he didn't have to be paid again. Tell him to go there," said a woman in the video.

In the video, the voice of a man suspected of committing extortion is also heard.

"If you want to go there, go ahead, this goes to the tourist village, it's a walk," said the man.

Separately, Ahmad Lubis, a resident from Medan when met by VOI admitted that he had just visited the tourist area, Wednesday, August 11. He confirmed the practice of extortion to enter the tourist area.

"That's true, and not just once, but twice. That doesn't include the entrance ticket to the bathing location, but the term here is thug money," said Ahmad, Thursday, August 12.

Ahmad said he was surprised because there were still extortion practices in the area. In fact, he said, last June, the police took action against individuals who committed extortion.

"I was there yesterday 7 people, so the total amount of money to enter the baths per person was IDR 30 thousand. Their reason was money for road maintenance, but every day they collect them, it's not a good way to get there," he said.

Therefore, he asked the government and law enforcement to take action against those who commit extortion at the entrance to the sidebu-dust bath.

"If tourism wants to, something like this (extortion) must be taken care of first. Road repairs are not their responsibility, but the government's, so it should not be imposed on visitors," he said.