Yogya Police Denies Pressure To Violate Traffic Regulation
16 August 2015 17:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta- The Yogyakarta Police denied that the institution had tolerated traffic violations committed by big bike riders during an event in Yogyakarta on Saturday, due to pressure or instruction from the National Police.
“There was no such pressure,” Yogyakarta Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Any Pudjiastuti told Tempo on Sunday, August 16.
Earlier on Saturday, two Yogyakarta residents Elanto Wijoyono, 32, and Andika Faizal Haqi, 19, blocked a big bike convoy in Sleman, Yogyakarta, as protest against red light violation committed by the riders.
Police officers on duty at the scene seemed helpless with the convoy escorted by Police’s advance motorcycle corps (voor rijder).
Pudjiastuti explained that the escort was requested by the organizing committee of the event, without interference from the National Police or higher authorities.
She argued that Law Number 22/2009 on traffic and land transportation allowed the public to request police escort for special occasions, such as funeral, marriage, and other ceremonial purposes.
“So, the police escort for the big bikes convoy was not to discriminate [road users],” Pudjiastuti explained.
She deplored Elanto and Andika’s action blocking the convoy. “It could be dangerous. They could be hit,” Pudjiastuti said.
She added that Yogyakarta Police would take actions against traffic violators, including the big bike riders. “We will take actions, no matter how small is the violation,” she said.
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