Workers Union Backs Transjakarta Directors in Belly Dance Uproar

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transjakarta Workers Union head Benny Malau rebutted allegations that Transjakarta’s board of directors had a meeting with operators while enjoying a belly dance performance as shown in a viral video on social media.

He clarified that it was a meeting between the board of directors and officials of four workers unions. “It is not true that the circulating video was a meeting with the operators,” said Benny in a written statement, Friday, December 10.

Benny explained that the board of directors and the unions discussed issues arising at the time. However, he stopped short of detailing the problems in question.

He also claimed that the meeting took place outside of working hours and all attendees at the restaurant did not know there would be a belly dance performance as dancers suddenly came to entertain all diners.

“[The performance was] not specifically for directors and employees of Transjakarta,” Benny said.

Previously reported, during a hearing on December 6, a member of the Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) Commission B overseeing the economy, Adi Kurnia Setiadi, claimed he had a video showing Transjakarta directors meeting with operators at a restaurant while enjoying a belly dance performance. The video then widely circulated on social media.

Read: Jakarta Police Reveal Most Transjakarta Accidents Caused by Human Errors

LANI DIANA WIJAYA