Jakarta – Street thugs run a virtual monopoly of Jakarta's on-street parking spaces, taking the lion's share of fees paid by motorists and ruling over the city's parking division.

"I take in an average of Rp 100,000 (US$11) a day, of which Rp 50,000 goes to my boss while Rp 30,000 goes to the city transportation agency. I only get Rp. 20,000," said a parking attendant who requested to remain anonymous.

He claimed to have been operating in front of a shop on Jl. Gajah Mada, West Jakarta, for five years, adding that his earned more than the administration. He added that two other "bosses" operated the parking spaces facing a popular family restaurant and shop next to his turf.

The three buildings are just a small section of the row of offices, banks, hotels and entertainment spots lining the road, each boasting at least one attendant who usually receives Rp 2,000 from car owners and Rp 1,000 from motorcyclists.

The phenomenon is not unique to West Jakarta. A parking attendant in the Santa area in South Jakarta's upscale Kebayoran Baru – home to cafes, salons, and boutiques – also admitted that he gave 60 percent of the fees collected to a "boss", with only 20 percent each going to the administration and his own pocket.

"Around 250 cars park here every day. I don't ask for a fixed amount so some drivers give Rp 1, 000 and others give Rp 2,000. Generous ones give me Rp 5,000," he said.

The attendant added that his boss had men watching over him, collecting Rp 150,000 from his daily earnings of around Rp 250,000. The transportation officials, he said, only collected Rp 40,000 while the rest was divided among himself and four of his fellow attendants.

"The amount given is not fixed but depends on how many cars parked on that day. On quiet days, when only 200 cars park, I give Rp 100,000 to my boss and Rp 30,000 to officials," the middle-aged man told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Street thugs do not only take the biggest chunk of parking fees, but also hit back at the transportation agency through threats of violence.

"Challenging street thugs is a death wish," Jakarta Transportation Agency parking head Benyamin Bukit told the Post, adding that the thugs formed organizations and frequently resorted to violence, including chasing city parking officials with sharp weapons.

He added that some of the critical spots included Glodok, Pasar Pagi and Asemka, all in West Jakarta.

"It's not easy to wipe out this scourge. The process would be long and the strategy would have to be advanced," Benyamin said, adding that the phenomenon had been around for 20 years and would require cooperation from other parties to stamp out.

He said the city received Rp 19.5 billion in 2009 in parking fees from on-street and neighborhood parking spots as well as parking license fees, although the number could be higher if all parking fees were channeled back to the administration. (gzl)