Heaptalk, Jakarta – In response to a massive demonstration staged by online motorcycle taxi (ojek online) drivers across major Indonesian cities, House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V chairman Lasarus announced that a hearing will be held with driver representatives next Monday.
“Commission V will hold a public hearing with ojol drivers on Monday at 1 p.m.,” Lasarus told Tempo on May 20.
He acknowledged the drivers’ right to express their grievances, saying the protest was a reflection of the people’s freedom of expression. The inputs gathered from the demonstrations will be further discussed in next week’s hearing.
For information, on May 20, thousands of ojol drivers took to the streets in 14 major cities, including Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Lampung, South Sumatra, East Java and Central Java. The coordinated protest began at 1 p.m. local time.
During the demonstrations, drivers voiced five key demands:
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That the President and the Transportation Minister impose strict sanctions on app-based ride-hailing companies that violate Indonesian regulations, including Transportation Minister Regulation No. 12/2019 and Ministerial Decree No. KP 1001/2022.
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That Commission V hold a joint hearing with the Transportation Ministry, driver associations, and application providers.
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That app commissions be capped at 10 percent.
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That passenger fare policies be revised, including the removal of features like “aceng”, slot pricing, “hemat” (economy fare), and “prioritas”.
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That delivery and food service fare structures be standardized with input from driver associations, regulators, app companies, and the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI).
Lasarus stated that while the drivers’ demands are legitimate, accommodating them remains challenging due to the lack of comprehensive legislation governing the online ride-hailing industry.
“As of now, there is no legal umbrella specific to this sector,” he said.
He noted two potential pathways to address the issue: amending Law No. 22/2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation to incorporate provisions for online ride-hailing, or drafting an entirely new law as part of a national transportation framework. Discussions on these options are currently underway with the DPR’s Legislative Experts and the Transportation Ministry.
Following the hearing with drivers, the House plans to organize a separate meeting with ride-hailing platforms.
“If we force all stakeholders into the same room and expect immediate decisions, the meeting’s conclusions would lack binding power,” Lasarus said.
