Jakarta Officials Explain Impounding Motorcycle Taxi Driver's Vehicle

A viral video showing an online motorcycle taxi driver pleading with authorities not to impound his vehicle has prompted a response from Jakarta's East Transportation Sub-agency.

The driver was seen begging officials in a video shared on Instagram, explaining his need for the motorcycle to earn money for his family and his child's education. "Please, boss. I need money, my child goes to school, I need to eat. My house is in Bekasi, boss," he pleaded.

However, the agency clarified that the impoundment was part of a joint operation to clear illegal parking on Jatinegara Timur street. Officials stated five motorcycles were seized for parking on sidewalks, a violation of Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2014 concerning Transportation. This included using nets to secure two-wheeled vehicles and deflating tires for parking violations.

Harlem Simanjuntak, head of the East Jakarta Transportation Sub-agency, explained that the driver's motorcycle was among those impounded. He assured that the process was handled with a "humanistic approach," and the driver was given explanations. The driver was able to retrieve his vehicle from the agency's office after signing a statement promising not to repeat the offense. Simanjuntak emphasized that the crackdown targets all vehicles violating parking rules, regardless of the driver's profession, to ensure sidewalks remain accessible for pedestrians and to improve traffic safety.