Indonesian authorities backed down Friday from attempting to enforce a ban on ride-hailing apps and motorbike taxis after the move sparked online fury in a country where millions rely on the services.
Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan announced Thursday he had ordered police to properly implement an existing law that gives a narrow definition of public transport, meaning apps such as Uber and motorbike taxis known as "ojek" should be illegal.
But as anger mounted Friday, Jonan did a U-turn, announcing in a statement that motorbike taxis and app-based transport can continue operating "until there is decent and reliable public transport".
Uber and other services, including the popular motorbike taxi app Go-Jek, have been able to operate in Indonesia despite the law, becoming immensely popular in traffic-choked cities with little public transport.
Jonan's move, which followed pressure from traditional transport operators, triggered a flood of online anger, with #SaveGojek becoming a top trending topic on Twitter.
He was also summoned by President Joko Widodo, who voiced his support for transport apps.
"Hindering innovation and progress for the sake of bureaucratic red tape? Moronic," said Twitter user Marhadiasha.
"Our government is dumb!" tweeted Indonesian film director Joko Anwar.
Go-Jek has more than 200,000 drivers across the country, also providing courier, food delivery and even house-cleaning services. A flurry of other motorbike taxi-hailing apps have appeared following its success.
Uber is also popular but has faced difficulties, with some of its cars seized in Jakarta.
Public transport in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities is notoriously bad, with buses poorly maintained and trains old and often overcrowded.
AFP
Fri Dec 18 2015
Uber and other services, including the popular motorbike taxi app Go-Jek, have been able to operate in Indonesia despite the law, becoming immensely popular in traffic-choked cities with little public transport.
Anwar hulur bantuan kepada keluarga Pak Amjal aktivis awal reformasi
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menghulurkan bantuan kepada isteri aktivis awal reformasi Jalaluddin Ab Manaf yang menghidap penyakit angin ahmar.
Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar US
Pada 6 petang, ringgit tutun kepada 4.7390/7440 berbanding dolar US daripada 4.7375/7400 ketika ditutup semalam.
Selesa, dekat Masjid Nabawi, mesra OKU untuk jemaah muassasah
Selesa, dekat dengan Masjid Nabawi dan mesra Orang Kelainan Upaya (OKU) antara ciri-ciri tiga tempat penginapan diuruskan oleh Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) untuk jemaah haji Malaysia yang akan ke Madinah semasa musim haji tahun ini.
#AWANI745
#AWANI745
Kajian UNICEF: Pemulihan ketara pascapandemik COVID-19, namun kemiskinan masih ketara
Penyampai Astro AWANI, Dzulfitri Yusop memberi perincian mengenai tinjauan Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan: Tinjauan Berulang Tentang Impak Kos Sara Hidup PascaPandemik Terhadap Isi Rumah Berpendapatan Rendah di Kuala Lumpur yang dijalankan Unicef. Antara hasil tinjauan ialah pendpatan isi rumah semakin melonjak, namun kadar kemiskinan masih ketara.
#AWANI745
#AWANI745
“Faisal tersenyum, renungan mata masih sama, positif" - Hannah
Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Hannah Yeoh gembira dengan keadaan terkini pemain sayap kebangsaan, Faisal Halim yang kini dilihat semakin baik.
Malaysia, Arab Saudi bincang sektor pertanian, penyelidikan, tingkat akses pasaran
Mohamad menekankan potensi beberapa produk Malaysia untuk dieksport ke Arab Saudi seperti buah-buahan tropika; produk nilai tambah haiwan dan makanan haiwan.
Tanah milik keluarga Ammar Baharin yang dipindah milik diratifikasi semula - Amirudin
Kes seumpama itu direkodkan telah berlaku beberapa kali sebelum ini, antaranya disebabkan kaedah perekodan secara manual yang digunakan pihak berkaitan urusan tanah.
Azalina ketuai delegasi Malaysia ke Kanada untuk kajian pengasingan kuasa Peguam Negara
Azalina berkata kajian itu antara lain untuk membuat rujukan amalan terbaik dalam usaha mengenal pasti model sesuai bagi Malaysia.
USJT Bukit Aman siasat kes serangan tiga pemain bola sepak - Mohd Shuhaily
Siasatan dibuat dari semua sudut dan aspek, termasuk jika ia mempunyai kaitan dengan isu tohmahan yang melanda FAM pada bulan lepas.
Israel serang Rafah, MAPIM aktifkan pasukan pemantauan
Situasi bertambah genting di Gaza apabila tentera Israel mula serang Rafah dan ini sekali gus memberi cabaran kepada misi bantuan kemanusiaan kecemasan 110 kontena yang mahu digerakkan Malaysia ke Gaza melalui pintu sempadan Rafah. Laporan oleh Afiezy Azaman.
#AWANI745
#AWANI745