Eradicating Illegal Parking Attendants at Minimarkets, DKI Transportation Agency Collaborates with Satpol PP

DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency is collaborating with Satpol PP to deal with the rise of parking attendants who charge illegal fees at minimarkets.

KOMPAS/WINDORO ADI

The illegal parking attendant (in the middle with the hat) was caught by the police.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The DKI Jakarta Transportation Service is collaborating with the civil service police unit or Satpol PP to take firm action against illegal parking in Jakarta, especially in front of minimarkets. Parking in front of the minimarket should be free.

"As per regulations, parking in front of minimarkets is not charged (free of charge). Even the management is not allowed to collect fees," said the Head of the Transportation Department of DKI Jakarta, Syafrin Liputo, on Friday (3/5/2024).

Syafrin stated that members of the public visiting minimarkets should not have to pay for parking, unless they choose to voluntarily donate parking fees. However, there are individuals who take advantage of this situation.

"So, it's like it's the driver's obligation to pay, even though it shouldn't be. Therefore, (parking spaces) are facilities that are provided by the minimarket. Usually, these illegal parking attendants demand a certain amount of parking fee and force visitors to pay according to their demands," said Syafrin.

People who visit minimarkets should not have to pay for parking, unless they voluntarily want to donate money for parking. However, there are individuals who take advantage of this situation.

Syafrin stated that his team will coordinate with the Jakarta Public Order Agency and other relevant parties to handle the issue of certain individuals who exploit the location of minimarkets by forcing the collection of a certain amount of parking fees. They will also further discuss the firm steps and actions to be taken against these illegal parking attendants.

KEPOLISIAN SEKTOR KEBON JERUK

Evidence in the form of illegal collection by thugs and illegal parking attendants caught in the anti-thug operations by the Kebon Jeruk Police Sector in West Jakarta on Wednesday (November 16, 2019).

In addition, the Jakarta Transportation Agency will continue to monitor the completeness of parking facilities supporting minimarkets in Jakarta locations. Then, we will provide socialization to minimarket parties that parking fees should be free.

According to Syafrin, the presence of illegal parking attendants is due to the opportunity for parking space in minimarkets. His party has actually conducted enforcement measures. However, as soon as security officers from Dishub DKI Jakarta leave, these illegal parking attendants return to take over.

During enforcement, conflicts between illegal parking attendants and DKI Transportation Agency officers also often occur. Some individuals feel dissatisfied because they believe their source of income is being impeded by officials.

Also read: Waiting for the Government's Role in Overcoming the Problem of Illegal Parking Officers

The actions of illegal parking attendants have indeed disturbed visitors of the minimarket. A resident of Central Jakarta, Arumi (28), shared a story about how often she was asked for parking fees by illegal parking attendants in front of the minimarket. Usually, she was asked to pay IDR 2,000. However, sometimes she only came to the minimarket to withdraw money from the ATM.

Arumi is upset with the presence of unofficial parking attendants. Even in several minimarkets, signs announcing free parking have been posted, but they ignore it. If not paid, they will become angry and forceful.

"The most frustrating thing is that they don't really take care of our vehicles. Even sometimes they are not helpful in parking or taking out the motorcycles," said Arumi.

High income

Illegal parking attendants in minimarkets are estimated to earn a considerable monthly income. Nailul Huda, the Director of the Digital Economy Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios), stated that the earnings of an illegal parking attendant in a month can reach up to Rp 6 million. If there are two people operating as illegal parking attendants in one minimarket, each of them can earn Rp 3 million per month.

"Not to mention during Eid-al-Fitr or holidays. Surely more residents will visit minimarkets. The income of parking attendants will also increase," said Nailul.

The income amount is obtained assuming a parking fee of Rp 2,000 and over 100 motorcycles per day. However, parking attendants usually share their earnings with others, such as landowners. On the other hand, the parking attendant job does not require any specific qualifications, making it easy for anyone who wants to become a parking attendant.

Also read: The story of a stealth parking attendant in the courtyard of a Jakarta minimarket

This is in line with the discovery of Kompas in the field. As previously reported by Kompas, on Tuesday (26/10/2023), an illegal parking attendant at a minimarket in West Jakarta, Soleh (54), said that in a day he could earn IDR 150,000 to IDR 300,000. Usually, he is a parking attendant from 08.00 to 21.00 WIB.

"If it's a motorcycle, the tariff is the same for everyone, namely Rp 2,000. If it's a car, some give Rp 2,000, Rp 3,000, and Rp 5,000. Yes, there are residents who do not want to pay because there is a sign that says free parking in front of the minimarket. But, there are still many who pay," he said.

KOMPAS/KRISTIAN OKA PRASETYADI

The minimarket parking location on Jalan Lapangan Tembak, Ciracas, East Jakarta, is no longer guarded by parking attendants, Friday (14/12/2018).

Can be punished

The daily manager of the Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI), Agus Sujatno, explained that parking actually consists of three parts. The first is parking as part of traffic management systems. The second is parking as a service. And the third, parking or parking attendants can also become a source of original regional income (PAD).

"In relation to PAD, the person who has the right to collect parking is the regional government (Pemda)." he said.

In addition to those three forms, unregulated parking fees without tickets or entrance passes also fall under the category of illegal fees. Therefore, the local government has an obligation to regulate and control these illicit fees.

"The problem of illegal parking has become a chronic problem and has existed for a long time. Allegations that illegal parking attendants have backings have long been heard. However, local governments must have the courage to eradicate it. "The presence of illegal parking attendants not only disrupts traffic, but also has the potential to eliminate local revenue," said Agus.

Agus stated that Jakarta residents can report the existence of illegal parking attendants because DKI Jakarta has Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 5 of 2012 regarding parking management. Meanwhile, at the national level, illegal parking fees collected through coercion can be reported to the police using the extortion provision in the Criminal Code (KUHP). According to Article 368, Paragraph (1) of the KUHP, such extortion can be punished with a maximum prison sentence of nine years.

"The restaurant or minimarket owners who caught unlicensed parking attendants also have a responsibility to report this. Reporting is one of their services to consumers," he said.