One of the many stories that came out of yesterday’s chaotic public transportation driver protest was that of a 55-year-old groundskeeper who bravely scolded protesters who trampled the plants in the area where she worked on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan.
The groundskeeper, a grandmother of two named named Maryanti but known as Tuti, works for the government as a non-permanent employee (PHL) charged with maintaining the plants along the major road. Yesterday, protesting drivers ran roughshod over her plants and she earned the attention of the media when she yelled at them for their thoughtless behavior.
News of Tuti’s actions impressed Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who invited her to City Hall today to have lunch so he could hear about the incident.
Together with Bu Tuti, a non-permanent employee from the Parks Department who yesterday stood firm against protesters who trampled the plants she for by City Hall. She is an example of a non-permanent employee who is greatly dedicated to Jakarta. Thank you!
When Tuti left City Hall later in the afternoon, she was wearing her usual green overall work uniform but also a big smile. And in addition to her work broom, she was carrying a box containing a brand new Samsung Galaxy J5 smartphone.
“Yes, I shook hands with Pak Governor to shake hands, then we immediately went to eat satay and soto,” she said as quoted by Kompas.
Ahok apparently asked Tuti if she had taken photos of the protesters who had vandalized her plants. She said she didn’t since her mobile phone didn’t have a camera.
“The governor said, ‘I’m giving you a smartphone, next time just take a photograph [of the protesters] ya Bu?’” Tuti said.
“So next time there is a demo, the park won’t be ruined anymore. It’s done… Everybody stepping on the plants, as well as all of the urination, trash, cigarette butts etc.”
Tuti said she worked with two other men on maintaining their area of Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, but they were often afraid to scold protesters since they might get beaten.
“But since I am a woman, the demonstrators hesitate to attack me [if I scold them],” Tuti said, adding that she often threatens vandalizing protesters with her wooden broom.
In addition to giving her the new smartphone, Ahok said that he would also help Tuti to finally get on government health insurance (BPJS).
With a fearsome enforcer like Tuti out on the street, ready to take down vandals with her broom and camera phone in hand, we already feel like Jakarta is a safer, nicer and cleaner place.
