Temporary Ban on App-Based Rides

A few hours after President Joko Widodo stated his support for app-based transportation services on Friday two weeks ago, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung immediately distributed meeting invitations to several stakeholders. One of those invited was Agus Pambagio, a member of the Transportation Sector Balanced Public Policy Committee at the Ministry of Transportation. "I was asked to attend a focus group discussion about online motorcycle taxi services at his office," said Agus on Tuesday last week.

The meeting was held on the fourth floor of the Cabinet Secretariat building and attended by representatives from the transportation ministry, the coordinating ministry for the economy, the coordinating ministry for maritime affairs, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda). Go-Jek CEO Nadiem Makarim was also present to represent app-based transportation executives.