Vendro Immanuel G, Jakarta – Chairperson of the Association of Online Ojek Drivers Garda Indonesia, Igun Wicaksono, condemns the statement of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, who plans to retire fuel subsidies for online ojek, or online motorcycle taxis.
"We cannot accept the minister's rejection of online ojek as subject to fuel subsidies due to not being public transportation," said Igun when contacted on Thursday, October 28, 2024.
Igun hopes Prabowo's administration could formulate better policies that may improve online ojek drivers' welfare. "Bahlil's statement has made online ojek drivers upset and ready to mobilize a large-scale protest," he said. "Where is the pro-people stance?"
Corporations, Igun said, have used online ojek drivers as cash cows but rewarded them with a small income. Igun regrets the government's move to retire fuel subsidies for the drivers.
Bahlil is urged to see for himself the condition of online ojek drivers. Igun said the drivers have been struggling to purchase even subsidized fuel. Removing their access to the subsidies, he said, will further complicate the online ojek drivers' lives.
Previously on Wednesday, Bahlil said fuel subsidies would only apply to yellow plate vehicles, or public transportation, to ensure the fares remain stable.
According to Bahlil, online ojek is not part of public transport but a part of business ventures, thereby ineligible for fuel subsidies. "They use motorcycles for business. Is it logical to subsidize a business?" he said.