Plis Deh Jakarta!

An ojek driver was caught carrying 998 ecstasy pills by the police in a spot check in North Jakarta.

Perhaps he wasn’t riding in a straight line? No, that can’t be it, since most motorcyclists in Jakarta don’t ride in a straight line anyway.

A family of four on a motorcycle whizzing through the streets of Jakarta on Thursday. (Photo: Afriadi Hikmal, JG)

There is a new rule which bans people from riding motorcycles with more than one passenger. The rule also applies for carrying oversize luggage on a motorcycle. But apparently, the rule will only apply for people going home in the Lebaran season.

So, safety first only applies in the holidays?

But if you really must, use the soap!

This is smart! Rather than hounding motorcyclists at every corner, the police simply distributed free helmets. Well, it sort of feels like handing our condoms without sex education, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

Then again, you never know if the free helmets aren’t left at home or sold.

In a somewhat signature act of far-flung vision with terrible planning, the outgoing governor, Sutiyoso, launched the city water taxis in June 2007, spending Rp 200 billion on the facilities with a pilot project serving a 1.7 km route with two 28-person boats. So where is it now?

The first few trips failed when, among others, garbage got stuck in the boat’s rotors. This, and not to mention that apparently not all of Ciliwung River can be dredged to serve such a water transport service.

So Rp 200 billion and ambition = nothing happening.

Courtesy of @yonaa.

Today, is the commemoration of 64 years of independence for Indonesia (well, a lot of you reading this might already know this). This year, it’s a bit different, you can feel it – the energy of patriotism and nationalism burns bright today. And from today, Indonesians will work to create a better country and nation for themselves, and transcend differences in race, tribe, religion, special interests, social strata, income levels, or political affiliations. Well, maybe not exactly everybody, but the spirit is there.
Plis Deh Jakarta endorses #indonesiaunite and the Common Mandate declarated last night at Rolling Stone Live Venue, Kemang, and several other cities. We hope Indonesia will get better and better, up to the point this blog will have to find something else to write about.

Merdeka!