Photo: Coconuts Media
Now that the motorcycle ban from the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout to Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat has gone from trial period into full legal effect, it’s facing more resistance than ever before, with many questioning whether it’s doing anything to improve traffic conditions in the area.
Now the government is facing a legal challenge to the motorcycle ban – a lawsuit filed by driver advocacy group Indonesian Traffic Watch in the country’s Supreme Court. The suit says the ban violates the country’s Traffic Act (UU Lalu Lintas)
“It is discriminatory and tends to be arrogant. There is no ability to ban vehicles in the Traffic Act. The governor’s decree is contrary to the law,” said Ronny Talapessy, the attorney for ITW, in front of the Supreme Court building today as quoted by JPNN.
Ronny says the lawsuit represents the interests of motorcyclists and asks for a judicial review of the regulation. According to the attorney, the 2009 Traffic Act only allows for vehicle restrictions during certain time periods, not 24-hour bans.
“We represent motorcyclists and the disabled. They are forced to park and ride the bus. This is discriminatory,” Ronny said.
Ronny and ITW are in the process of registering and filing their lawsuit with the Supreme Court.
