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Ministry of Transportation recommends ban (again), but Governor of Jakarta takes a middle ground

Thousands of drivers of Jakarta’s public transportation services –ranging from taxi, minibus, bus, to auto rickshaw– today conducted a massive strike to protest for the operations of ride-hailing app such as Uber and Grab.

They demand the Indonesian government to ban the operations of ride-hailing apps which they claimed to have taken over their jobs.

The demonstration will be targetting Jakarta City Hall, the State Palace, and the Ministry of Communications and Informatics. According to a report by CNN Indonesia, the Land Transportation Organisation announced that at least 2,000 drivers had enlisted themselves to the massive strike.

Around 12PM local time, a live broadcast by Metro TV reported that angry mass had vandalised five taxis and two cars which had been accused to use ride-hailing apps. Another report by Detik.com also stated that a taxi driver was arrested by the police after attempting to assault a Go-Jek driver.

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Meanwhile, different institutions in the Indonesian government responded to the demand differently.

Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan (who had previously banned ride-hailing apps for 24 hour) once again signed a recommendation for the Ministry of Communications and Informatics to ban the operation and use of ride-hailing apps.

As reported by Detik.com, a Ministry of Transportation spokesperson claimed that the Ministry had sent the recommendations to Minister of Communications and Informatics Rudiantara.

The same report also stated that the Ministry of Communications and Informatics had met with representatives from protesters and noted on their demands.

Through a statement delivered by Minister of the State Secretariat Pratikno, the Indonesian government had asked to be given 15 days to activate the ban against ride-hailing apps.

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Governor of DKI Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Poernama (commonly known as Governor Ahok) stated that he would require cars using ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Grab to use stickers to differentiate themselves from personal cars.

“We do not wish to ban [ride-hailing apps] as this is how time has changed, but they have to follow regulations. Under this system, we would like to request them to use stickers,” said Governor Ahok as quoted by CNN Indonesia.

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