Uber is still a controversy in Jakarta

Ilustrasi (dok)

JAKARTA (IndoTelko) - Uber who claimed to receive a positive signal from Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) to operate if they can obtain the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) approval, has made Jakarta's Land Transportation Organization (Organda) to speak up.

"I understand that the meeting mentioned by Uber and Ahok was in the leaders meeting where all transportation stakeholders attended. Our representatives were also there. The meeting said that if Uber want to operate, they must obey all the transportation regulation," said Organda's Jakarta Regional Executive Board Chairman Shafruhan Sinungan in a phone conversation with IndoTelko, lately.

Shafruhan said that if it refers to the transportation regulation, the investment board's permission is not sufficient for the operation.

"They must obtain license from the Transportation Department and Governor's approval. Not to mention having to set up a car pool and the other technical supports. If they can meet the requirement, then we can issue the license, it means that they have similar playing field with existing official taxi," Shafruhan said

Based on the information he received that Uber's permission from the investment board in 2016 is for marketing only, not the license as transportation means.

"We just want the regulation is enforced. The problem with Uber's business scheme is that many small taxi companies are closed from drivers who ran away. There is 40% taxi companies are not operating by now.

Not yet Blessed
Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Basuki Purnama Tjahaja emphasized that there is no operational license for Uber, because they have not formed the company in Jakarta recently.

Ahok said that Uber must set up a company with permission from BKPM and the fleet must also be affixed with a taxi sticker. So the car must pass the KIR test.

Then, all car owners who hired by Uber must register and have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). Car owners also have to pay income tax. If the car owner's income is below $ 4.8 billion a year, they only pay 1% tax.

Uber claims
Uber itself through a spokesman Karun Arya stated that Ahok formally recognized the value and legality Uber after receiving approval from BKPM.

In fact, the governor then also underscores the need for reformation, within the framework of Transportation Department office to ensure eradicating illegal activity and ride sharing technologies such as Uber.

Uber that has made a positive impact to the transportation system was given a firm briefing and allowed to grow.

Based on Karun version, the Governor proposed a few simple requirements to make these companies to grow rapidly such as legal existence (PMA/PT), paying taxes (income tax, vehicle tax), having adequate insurance and ensure that the partners' vehicle has passed the motor vehicle testing (KIR).

Karun also said that Ahok also has directed the city's transportation department to make corrections on the quotas of taxi licenses and vehicle rental companies, assigning them to cooperate with Uber in developing a transparent process for the inspection of vehicles and insurance verification.

Briefly, based on Uber version, if there is an agreement from the investment board on the application of Uber's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Governor Ahok will fully acknowledge Uber legality.  

Well, which is the right information then? (es)