Consumer Organization Urged Transjakarta to Evaluate Security

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tulus Abadi, Executive Director of the Indonesian Consumer Organization (YLKI) said that an evaluation is needed on Transjakarta security system following a recent attack on of its passenger Andrew Budiman on Friday, August 26, 2016.

"The incident showed that Transjakarta is incapable of providing security for its passengers. An evaluation on Transjakarta’s security system is required," Tulus told Tempo on Wednesday, August 31, 2016.

Tulus said that public transport operator must provide security personnel to oversee its operational activities, particularly at night.

"[Transjakarta] could adopt the system used in trains, both for long-distance and mid-range trips, by deploying special police personnel," Tulus said. Tulus added that CCTVs must be installed in every bus, in addition to those available in bus shelters.

Tulus also urged the police to solve the case and arrest the perpetrators. "I believe the perpetrators must be prosecuted because they have committed crime in public spaces, causing people to feel insecure," Tulus said.

On Friday, August 26, 2016, Andrew, a 23-years old man, was attacked by a group of people while riding on a Transjakarta bus at around 10:00 PM Western Indonesia Time.

The men who attacked Budi boarded the bus from Semanggi shelter, while telling jokes about Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.

The men later pointed their fingers at Andrew, who was standing near them, saying "You are Ahok, right?" and "Do you prefer closed eyes or slanted eyes?". As the bus pulls over at the JCC Senayan shelter, Andrew claimed that the group of men pulled him out of the bus and beat him up. Luckily, a passenger managed to pull Andrew back into the bus, leaving the attackers at the shelter.

Adrew said that none of the Transjakarta bus security personnel managed to help him. Andrew added that the bus security personnel even told him to get off the bus for starting the fight.

EGI ADYATAMA