You may not know it if you go to certain areas of the city, but the becak AKA bicycle taxi is actually outlawed in Jakarta and has been since 2007.
Under the instruction of the provincial government, the police’s Satpol PP unit have reportedly been cracking down and forcefully confiscating existing becaks in the city lately.
Feeling that their livelihoods are being impeded, some of the city’s becak drivers reported the crackdowns to the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), blaming the forceful confiscation of their becaks on Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
According to the drivers, people still have a need for becaks despite them being outlawed in the city.
“We only take passengers on narrow alleyways these days,” said Rasbullah, a member of a becak drivers’ union, as quoted by Tempo yesterday.
Asked about being reported to Komnas HAM, Ahok said he wasn’t worried since he’s taking actions that are still in accordance with the law.
“I get reported there (to Komnas HAM) almost everyday so I’ve gotten used to it,” he told Tempo.
Do you think becaks should remain illegal in Jakarta?
