2 hours ago
5
November 28, 2024 | 11:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Online motorcycle taxi drivers, or online ojek drivers, are threatening to take to the streets if their fuel subsidy is withdrawn. The demonstration plan was conveyed by the Chief of the Indonesian Ride-Hailing Motorcycle Association Garda Indonesia, Igun Wicaksono, in response to the decision by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, to withdraw fuel subsidies for online motorcycle taxis.
"If online ojek drivers cannot receive or fill up subsidized fuel, then a wave of mass protests will surely occur throughout Indonesia to protest the decision of Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia," Igun said when contacted on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
Igun stated that he would consolidate up to 4 million workers who are members of the association to carry out a mass protest. If a mass strike of online ojek drivers is carried out, Igun believes it will disrupt the national distribution pattern of goods.
"(We will consolidate) to take to the streets in waves and hold a national strike. (With) the number of online ojek drivers reaching 4 million in Indonesia, it will disrupt transportation and retail distribution patterns for people nationwide," Igun said.
According to Igun, online ojek drivers have been a cash cow for ride-hailing companies with meager earnings. If this subsidy is eventually withdrawn, it will further complicate the lives of online ojek drivers.
Therefore, Igun is waiting for Bahlil's response to the online ojek drivers' rejection. Igun wants Bahlil to retract his statement and cancel the withdrawal of fuel subsidies for ride-hailing drivers as soon as possible. If not, there will indeed be a massive demonstration.
"Bahlil's statement calls on online ojek drivers to stage a major protest against the government," Igun said.
Previously, Bahlil stated that fuel subsidies would only be allocated to yellow-plated vehicles. This is so that the cost or fare of using these vehicles does not increase as a result of the withdrawal of fuel subsidies.
"One of them is that the vehicles entitled to receive subsidies are yellow-plated vehicles. Public transportation, what for? The fare should not increase," Bahlil said during a visit to his residence on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
Meanwhile, Bahlil said that online ojek will not receive subsidies. According to him, online motorcycle taxis are not part of public transportation, but rather part of the community business. Therefore, it is not appropriate to give them subsidies.
"They are using motorcycles for business purposes. Should businesses be subsidized?" he said.
Editor's Choice: Online Ojek Excluded from Fuel Subsidy Scheme, Minister Bahlil Says
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Online Ojek Excluded from Fuel Subsidy Scheme, Minister Bahlil Says
5 jam lalu
Online ojek or online motorcycle taxis are not the target for fuel subsidy.
Bahlil Asked to Develop Ethanol, Methanol Industry for Energy Self-sufficiency
1 hari lalu
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia says he received an order from the president to develop the ethanol and methanol industry.
Energy Minister Bahlil Spills Possible Fuel Subsidy Scheme
1 hari lalu
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia spilled the scheme for fuel subsidy.
Prabowo Meets Energy Minister Bahlil, Discusses Energy Subsidy Plan
28 hari lalu
President Prabowo summoned Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta this afternoon.
Manpower Ministry Admits Online Ojek Partnership Status Disadvantageous for Workers
34 hari lalu
The Ministry of Manpower will review the partnership status between platform providers and online transportation drivers such as online ojek and taxis
Bahlil Lahadalia Explains Why Nickel Downstreaming Continues to Harm the Environment
41 hari lalu
Bahlil Lahadalia states that the planning of nickel downstreaming still has a negative impact on the environment.
Cash Assistance to Replace Fuel Subsidy, Economist: Must Target Aspiring Middle Class
55 hari lalu
The former Bank Indonesia Governor claimed the cash assistance would save around Rp150-200 trillion of budget.
Indonesia Doesn't Have to Follow Singapore's Platform Workers Law: Minister
13 September 2024
The Indonesian Manpower Ministry has responded to Singapore's recent ratification of a law governing informal workers, including online ojek drivers.
Gradual Energy Transition Expected to Save Rp90tn of Fuel Subsidy per Year: Minister Luhut
4 September 2024
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said a gradual energy transition will save Rp45 trillion to Rp90 trillion of fuel subsidies per year.
Online Ojek, Courier Drivers Stage Protest; Gojek, Manpower Ministry Respond
29 Agustus 2024
Groups of online ojek and courier drivers across Greater Jakarta staged a demonstration today, August 29, demanding better working conditions.
