TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi claimed that driver of online-based motorcycle taxis, also known as ojek, are his friends. Therefore, Budi said that they would not stage another rally. On a separate occasion, Budi said that he has no authority to force ride-hailing apps to increase their tariffs.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Indonesian Transportation Drivers and Online Service Association Igun Wicaksono announced that online ojek drivers are planning to hold another protest on Monday, April 23, 2018.
The drivers demanded the government to rationalize the tariff and urged the House of Representatives (DPR) to revise Law No. 22/2009 to allow online ojek to be classified as public transportation.
According to Igun, the protest will be held in front simultaneously across Indonesia, but will be centered in front of the DPR building in Jakarta. Agun estimated that the rally will involve 1,5 million online ojek drivers in total.
ADAM PRIREZA | CHITRA PARAMAESTI
