A Boy Gets Rewards for Stopping Motorbike Riding on Sidewalk

TEMPO.CO, Semarang-A 9-year-old boy, Daffa Farros Oktoviarto, who bravely stopped a motorbike rider riding on sidewalk, has received rewards from Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihardi; a bicycle and a television set. “The bicycle is inspired by what he has done. He is used to laying rocks [on the sidewalk], but motorbike riders keep riding on the sidewalk. I appricate him,” Hendrar said yesterday, April 20, 2016, at Kalibanteng Elementary, Daffa’s school.

Hendrar hoped the gift could motivate adults to do the same. “The most important thing is, despite being young, [we] have to be brave to express [our opinion]. The boy can do that, adults should do better,” he said.

According to Hendrar, what Daffa has done could inspire young people to participate in maintaining traffic order. It is deemed as a pressing issue amid heavy congestion and lack of officials in Semarang City which has 1.5 million population.

The fourth grader Daffa has been blocking motorbike riders who recklessly ride on the sidewalk in front of his house on a daily basis. Head of Semarang Transportation Department Agus Harmunanto has reiterated the importance of public participation, as has been done by Daffa, to maintain traffic order. “People could help to maintain [traffic order] as we have a limited number of officials.” Agus said

Head of Transporation Lab of Soegijapranata Catholic University Semarang Djoko Setjowarno said that the boy’s action that stopped motorbike rider on the sidewalk should make transporation administrator introspect. “Don’t stop at giving [the boy] appreciation. Daffa’s action should make Semarang city administration introspect,” he said.

EDI FAISOL