Jakarta Diary: Saviours On Jakarta's Congested Roads

By Mohd Shukri Ishak Bernama's correspondent Mohd Shukri Ishak shares his take from the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. JAKARTA, Jan 23 (Bernama) – Maintaining security and traffic management in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia with more than 10.7 million people, is a tough undertaking for the guardians of the city. However, there are both opportunists and responsible citizens who help motorists get through the horrendous daily traffic snarls in this city that was once known as Batavia. The huge number of vehicles and roads means traffic lights will not suffice and Jakarta cannot afford to employ traffic cops in the hundreds or thousands. Yet at almost every junction or U turns, there will be someone or a small group manning the traffic for a small reward depending on the motorists’ generosity. While motorists back in Malaysia may fume over their presence on the road, in Indonesia these unofficial ‘traffic wardens’ provide a welcome respite for the worn out motorists. In a city where its dwellers spend an average of 22 days a year navigating through the traffic jams, imagine without them most motorists will have to wait for hours to make a U turn or cross a junction. These unofficial traffic wardens are just ordinary souls who are out there to make a living. One of them is Saiefudin, 27, who earns tips up to Rp150,000 (RM45) daily by helping out the motorists : "Our earnings depend on the generosity of the motorists, I normally work up to the evenings at the congested stretches," he said. According to the Indonesian Statistic Body, 13.9 million two wheelers and 5.5 million four wheelers have been registered in this metropolitan city. Other than the unofficial traffic wardens, the security guards at buildings and premises play dual role – maintain security and ensure the smooth movement of the vehicles in and out of the buildings. These guards will stop the traffic on the main roads to let the vehicles get in or out of the buildings. Their activities on the roads are a common sight as well. With roads clogged up much of the time, getting in and out of the building can prove to be a difficult task without the help of the guards. Imagine of trying to get back to the main road where the traffic moves for much of the day. Based on the 2016 data provided by Indonesian Security Guard Association, the security guards in number 463,000, far more in number than the Indonesian police force of 430,000. These unofficial traffic wardens and security guards help make life easier for the motorists on the roads in Jakarta. Their presence on the roads are welcomed by the road users here. Without them, it will certainly be a horrendous trip for the motorists in Jakarta. -- BERNAMA