President Orders Fair Settlement Of App-Based Transport Service

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered that the conflict between online application-based and conventional taxi services be resolved in a fair manner.

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaita, who made this announcement at his office on Tuesday, said, "The President has ordered the evaluation of the issue so that a fair settlement could be reached."
He said that both sides, namely the online app-based transportation services and conventional taxis, must be dealt with equitably.

"Both conventional and online app-based taxi services should equally enjoy fair treatment," remarked Luhut. Both will have to abide by requirements such as permits and will have to pay taxes.

Luhut said the government had no way to predict the emergence of online app-based transportation services, and these were the result of technological advancement.  He admitted that the matter did not figure during deliberations on Law No. 22/2009 on Land Transportation.

"When the law was drafted, we did not foresee the fast-paced technological development. We did not think there will be 'Gojek' (Online-based motorcycle taxis) and such other services," he said.

"If we close this application, there will be many others who will also stage protests," he said.

Thousands of taxi drivers held rallies in Jakarta on Tuesday in protest against the app-based transportation services, urging the government to block such applications on the internet.

The demonstrators forced any taxi they found running to stop. In certain cases, they even damaged such vehicles. The protesters also clashed with a group of Gojek drivers in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta. (WDY)