[Kabar-indonesia] 'Ojek' drivers try to brush up on limited language skills

[Joyo at aol.com]

also: 'Ondel-ondel' is Betawi icon'

The Jakarta Post 
Monday, September 4, 2006

'Ojek' drivers try to brush up on limited language skills

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A lack of English proficiency has never presented too much of a problem for 
motorcycle taxi drivers and their foreign passengers in the past.

A few basic pleasantries and some mutually understandable gestures seemed to 
do the trick.

Now, as the association of the drivers -- known locally as ojek -- plans to 
provide a tourism service starting Sept. 11, Rahmat wishes that he knew more 
than just "Sir", "yes", "no" and "good morning".

"I wish I could talk to them, even just a few words," said the 48-year-old at 
Jl. Jaksa, Central Jakarta, acknowledging that foreign visitors give more 
tips than locals. "If I could talk to them, I would ask for bigger tips."

Kenon, who ferries passengers from Pecenongan, Central Jakarta, says he gets 
by with "Tarzan" sign language.

He recalled his first experience taking a woman from Taiwan to Mangga Besar 
in West Jakarta.

"I just nodded without asking how much she would pay," he said.

The woman gave him Rp 10,000 (about US$1). He yelled "no" and showed tens and 
five on his fingers. The woman understood, and took out another Rp 5,000.

Thirty ojek drivers who frequent the area outside Plaza Indonesia, also in 
Central Jakarta, have acquired their own regular "clientele" of foreigners who 
visit the mall.

But communication is kept to a minimum, with driver and passenger silent as 
they negotiate the bustling traffic.

"I only know the name of one passenger, John, who comes from France," said 
Dodi, who has transported three to four foreigners every week over the last 
three years.

Several drivers said that while locals were their regular rides, they land 
windfalls from foreigners.

"When the 1998 riots happened, a lot of foreign journalists rented us for a 
one-day service, which cost them Rp 100,000 to Rp 200,000," said Dodi, formerly 
a security guard.

Since the 1997 economic crisis, the ojek has become an alternative way to 
earn a living for many people who were laid off. They also are the cheapest and 
quickest way to get around Jakarta's growing traffic nightmare.

According to the latest data from the Indonesian Motorized Ojek Association 
(Pomsi), there are more than 5 million drivers throughout the city.

Because of the benefits derived from serving foreign visitors, Pomsi 
representative Bambang Soeherdy said the organization would provide the tourism 
service in conjunction with the association's second anniversary.

Bambang, who is also the service manager, said the focus would be on West 
Jakarta with its abundant tourism sites -- Kota Tua, the museums and heritage 
sites.

"We know that we need to upgrade our skills in terms of language proficiency 
and local tourism knowledge, but it is just a matter of time," he said.

While awaiting official support from the Jakarta Museum and Cultural Agency, 
Bambang said he would provide an English language service center to educate 
the drivers and cooperate with local tourism businesses to provide special 
helmets and jackets.

But Museum and Cultural Agency head Aurora Frida Tambunan believes English 
proficiency was not a must for the drivers.

"The most important thing is having a good attitude in driving, not language 
skills," she told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Since the ojek is not recognized as formal public transportation, she 
stressed that it should be treated merely as an alternative to the usual tourist 
services.

"Tourists usually come in groups. But we can still use ojek to get to remote 
spots where buses cannot get through."

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The Jakarta Post 
Monday, September 4, 2006

'Ondel-ondel' is Betawi icon'

Traditional culture and art are struggling to survive in a society marked by 
rapid economic and social changes. This is not only caused by the fact that 
people tend to enjoy culture and art which have more universal appeal but also 
by the fact that people do not find the Betawi art as "beautiful" as 
traditional art from other areas. The Jakarta Post asked people what they thought about 
Betawi traditional art and culture which some people say is fast disappearing.

Harun, 56, is a taxi driver with Kosti Taxi. He lives in Tigaraksa area in 
Tangerang, Banten:

The Betawi culture is different from what it used to be. Even the people are 
different. Now they are much more aggressive. Betawi organizations, such as 
FBR, act more like thugs on the street.

In Tangerang back in the 1960s, we had a doll similar to the ondel-ondel, but 
there we called it barongsai. However, barongsai no longer exists in my area.

The ondel-ondel are supposed to look ugly. The name already suggests that 
they are hideous. (Giant papier-mache dolls, ondel-ondel are traditionally 
supposed to drive away evil spirits.)

If they looked handsome then maybe they would be called "johnny-johnny".

Agung Priosusanto works for the Jakarta administration. He lives in Pondok 
Cabe area in Tangerang, Banten:

The Betawi culture and its traditions get good exposure every year when 
Jakarta celebrates its anniversary on June 22.

Ondel-ondel has long been the symbol of the Betawi culture. It has become an 
icon for the culture.

People can see many of them along Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin in Central 
Jakarta during the city' s anniversary.

Ondel-ondel have always been like that, a giant couple, man and woman. They 
are supposed to be like that.

If they were good looking, then they would be the Abang and None (Mister and 
Miss) Betawi instead. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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