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Version 2 Version 3
Protest in Indonesia Against Ride-Hailing Apps Turns Violent Protest in Indonesia Against Ride-Hailing Apps Turns Violent
(about 2 hours later)
JAKARTA, Indonesia — The city center of Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, was paralyzed Tuesday morning by a violent mass protest by taxi and other public transportation drivers against ride-hailing apps, with demonstrators blocking major roads and highways and attacking other taxis that were not taking part. JAKARTA, Indonesia — The center of Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, was paralyzed Tuesday morning by a violent mass protest by taxi and other public transportation drivers against ride-hailing apps, with demonstrators blocking major roads and highways and attacking other taxis that were not taking part.
An estimated 10,000 members of the Indonesian Land Transportation Drivers Association had planned a protest march from the national House of Representatives complex to the Presidential Palace to demand that the government ban app-based transportation companies including Uber and Grab, saying they were hurting their ability to earn fares. An estimated 10,000 members of the Indonesian Land Transportation Drivers Association had planned a protest march from the national House of Representatives complex to the Presidential Palace to demand that the government ban app-based transportation companies, including Uber and Grab, saying they were hurting their ability to earn fares.
Instead, drivers ran amok in the district near the legislative complex, blocking roads leading to the Semanggi Flyover, the city’s main highway artery, and Jalan Sudirman, a primary thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Jakarta’s business district.Instead, drivers ran amok in the district near the legislative complex, blocking roads leading to the Semanggi Flyover, the city’s main highway artery, and Jalan Sudirman, a primary thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Jakarta’s business district.
Traffic was backed up for miles in all directions, and some offices closed because of security concerns.Traffic was backed up for miles in all directions, and some offices closed because of security concerns.
Two miles away, other protesters parked dozens of taxis on a thoroughfare off the city’s landmark roundabout, known as Bundaran H.­I., blocking south-moving traffic throughout the morning. Two miles away, other protesters parked dozens of taxis on a thoroughfare off the city’s landmark roundabout, known as Bundaran H. I., blocking south-moving traffic throughout the morning.
“Stop illegal taxis,” protesters yelled. “No more apps.”“Stop illegal taxis,” protesters yelled. “No more apps.”
Television news footage as well as videos posted on social media sites showed enraged taxi drivers pulling fellow drivers who were not part of the protest out of their vehicles and assaulting them. Their passengers were also forced to get out and run away.Television news footage as well as videos posted on social media sites showed enraged taxi drivers pulling fellow drivers who were not part of the protest out of their vehicles and assaulting them. Their passengers were also forced to get out and run away.
Protesters threw rocks at some taxis, smashed the windshields of others with sticks, or broke off their side mirrors.Protesters threw rocks at some taxis, smashed the windshields of others with sticks, or broke off their side mirrors.
Protesters, wearing their uniforms, were seen attacking taxis belonging to their own company, as well as targeting those of rival operators. They were joined in the violence by the drivers of public transportation buses, three-wheeled scooters and minivans. Some protesters wearing their uniforms were seen attacking taxis belonging to their own company, as well as targeting those of rival operators. They were joined in the violence by the drivers of public transportation buses, three-wheeled scooters and minivans.
In one bizarre scene, a taxi driver repeatedly tried to drive through a throng of protesters from his own company, the Blue Bird Group, who appeared to be trying to attack his cab and pull him from the vehicle. The driver was eventually able to drive away.In one bizarre scene, a taxi driver repeatedly tried to drive through a throng of protesters from his own company, the Blue Bird Group, who appeared to be trying to attack his cab and pull him from the vehicle. The driver was eventually able to drive away.
In another incident, protesters attacked a driver for Go-Jek, a popular Indonesian app-based motorcycle transportation company, whom they had pulled off his motorcycle.In another incident, protesters attacked a driver for Go-Jek, a popular Indonesian app-based motorcycle transportation company, whom they had pulled off his motorcycle.
Many of the protesters work for Blue Bird, Indonesia’s largest taxi company, and were plainly visible in their blue uniform shirts.Many of the protesters work for Blue Bird, Indonesia’s largest taxi company, and were plainly visible in their blue uniform shirts.
During a live televised news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Andri Nida, a spokeswoman for Blue Bird, said the company did not approve or support the protests.During a live televised news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Andri Nida, a spokeswoman for Blue Bird, said the company did not approve or support the protests.
“If any vandalism was done by unscrupulous Blue Bird drivers, we’ll cover the costs,” she said. “We will punish any anarchic drivers, but we have to gather witnesses and evidence.”“If any vandalism was done by unscrupulous Blue Bird drivers, we’ll cover the costs,” she said. “We will punish any anarchic drivers, but we have to gather witnesses and evidence.”
By midday, the protesters had ended their blockade and marched or drove toward northern Jakarta, where they staged demonstrations at the Ministry of Communications and Information, and across from the State Palace.By midday, the protesters had ended their blockade and marched or drove toward northern Jakarta, where they staged demonstrations at the Ministry of Communications and Information, and across from the State Palace.
The Jakarta police had deployed 6,000 officers early Tuesday to monitor the protest march. Police officials vowed to take action against protesters who committed violence, but it was unclear if they had made any arrests.The Jakarta police had deployed 6,000 officers early Tuesday to monitor the protest march. Police officials vowed to take action against protesters who committed violence, but it was unclear if they had made any arrests.
“We are still digging deeper into the incidents,” Senior Commander Mohammad Iqbal, a spokesman for the Jakarta police, was quoted by The Jakarta Globe, a local newspaper, as saying. “The principle is that we will surely move against those who engaged in illegal acts.”“We are still digging deeper into the incidents,” Senior Commander Mohammad Iqbal, a spokesman for the Jakarta police, was quoted by The Jakarta Globe, a local newspaper, as saying. “The principle is that we will surely move against those who engaged in illegal acts.”
App-based transportation has seen explosive growth in numerous cities across Indonesia in the past two years, with motorcycle and car companies offering rides, deliveries, bill payments, shopping, cleaning services and even massages.App-based transportation has seen explosive growth in numerous cities across Indonesia in the past two years, with motorcycle and car companies offering rides, deliveries, bill payments, shopping, cleaning services and even massages.
The growth is driven by cheaper costs than traditional public transportation operators and more convenience, plus the fact that most Indonesians use their mobile phones for Internet access, according to many technology analysts.The growth is driven by cheaper costs than traditional public transportation operators and more convenience, plus the fact that most Indonesians use their mobile phones for Internet access, according to many technology analysts.
However, traditional transportation operators have taken exception to app-based companies, saying that they are not licensed and do not pay state taxes, and that their drivers, who are independently employed, do not have to pay for an annual transport permit. App-based transportation companies employ hundreds of thousands of drivers.However, traditional transportation operators have taken exception to app-based companies, saying that they are not licensed and do not pay state taxes, and that their drivers, who are independently employed, do not have to pay for an annual transport permit. App-based transportation companies employ hundreds of thousands of drivers.
Last year, Jakarta’s governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, called on the police to arrest Uber drivers, saying they were operating illegally. The company has denied this, citing Indonesian law on independent taxi operators.Last year, Jakarta’s governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, called on the police to arrest Uber drivers, saying they were operating illegally. The company has denied this, citing Indonesian law on independent taxi operators.
On March 15, the transportation association held a peaceful rally of 2,000 drivers who protested outside City Hall, the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Presidential Palace, saying the new competition was hurting their livelihoods.On March 15, the transportation association held a peaceful rally of 2,000 drivers who protested outside City Hall, the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Presidential Palace, saying the new competition was hurting their livelihoods.
Rudiantara, Indonesia’s communications minister, who like many Indonesians has only one name, rejected calls to ban ride-hailing apps, saying they were part of Indonesia’s growing digital economy.Rudiantara, Indonesia’s communications minister, who like many Indonesians has only one name, rejected calls to ban ride-hailing apps, saying they were part of Indonesia’s growing digital economy.
Instead, he said, the government will expedite licenses and permits for the companies so they do not have to suspend operations but do conform to Indonesian laws on public transportation.Instead, he said, the government will expedite licenses and permits for the companies so they do not have to suspend operations but do conform to Indonesian laws on public transportation.