TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rallies and strike staged by taxi drivers that virtually paralyzed Jakarta’s traffic on Tuesday last week should not have happened if the government had been quick to give its response.

Conventional taxi companies have long decried the presence of online-based taxi providers but solutions that the government has promised has yet to be announced.

All arguments to support the presence of online-based transportation providers, while at the same time protecting traditional taxi companies have been much debated by a number of sides.

Now, what’s needed is the firmness of President Joko Widodo and related ministers to formulate a regulation that can be accepted by all sides.

The President’s stand about this issue is actually clear already.

In December last year, through this Twitter account, the President asserted the importance of regulating public transportation so that the absence of regulations on online-based transportation services will not not in fact bring troubles for the people.

Unfortunately, the President’s directive was not quickly translated into actions by his ministers.

To date, Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan continues to criticize the operation of online-based transportation providers such as Uber and Grab and label them as ‘illegal companies’.

Jonan’s stand is clearly contradictory with the policy of Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara, who has directed providers of online-based transportation services to register as cooperatives and to comply with all prevailing regulations.

Contradiction between those ministers was exacerbated by the government’s unclear communication pattern.

Shortly after the rallies, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan only told related sides to patiently wait for the government’s policies.

However, Luhut did not give the deadline and did not explain how the government will formulate the solution.

In fact, such transparency is crucial to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.

Tension among sides who fight for their survival can be avoided if they receive adequate information about the draft of solutions being prepared by the government, as well as the time frame and mechanism of the decision-making.

Rallies staged by taxi drivers in other cities could have been avoided as well if the government listened to their voice and they had been involved in the process of finding a permanent solution that benefits all sides.

In addition, the police also have to step in.

A number of violent act and other lawlessness actions that happened during the rallies two days ago may not be allowed.

Quick response of the Jakarta Regional Police who arrested both taxi drivers and online ojek (motorcycle taxi) involved in the brawls, convoys, or vandalism is praiseworthy.

Violence in rallies cannot be tolerated, especially if it disrupts public order.

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