A Thousand Rupiah "Police" , A Private Traffic Controller
The picture was taken on a train crossing in my hometown. A guy stands in front of a crowd of motorcyclists in a posture like he was giving instructions to riders.
His worn out high-vis vest may cause people to think he is a traffic policeman trying to control the flow of vehicles.
Yes, it is true that he is trying to do that. He instructed riders or drivers to follow his instructions in order to avoid the flow stuck in the middle of the crossing, which would be a dangerous situation nobody expected.
But, it is not correct if you think he is a member of police officers. Although they are nicknamed as "A Thousand Rupiah Police", they are not formally registered as a policeman. They have no badges with them.
He is just a civilian but yet he is a traffic controller, a private one.
What he does daily, yes daily, is not 100% charity. His intention may relate also to support his family. With the figure of poor and jobless people in Indonesia reaches millions of people, it is difficult to get a job, especially for them who has no skill or enough education. At the same time, they have families to support.
Luckily, this is the first time I feel lucky to live in a city that is awarded a "the Most Jammed "City of Indonesia", the traffic provides job opportunities for many people. A non-formal one, of course.
Bad traffics caused by lack of discipline motorcyclists and drivers need someone to act as controller, otherwise it is difficult for road users to turn into another direction. Nobody wants to budge for another results on very heavy traffic jams almost everywhere, especially in cities.
Combined with lack police officers on streets, it often accelerates to become a disaster on streets in forms of collissions between motorcycles or cars and the most fatal, train accidents.
This position, a traffic controller then is filled by nearest by people.
They don't sign any contracts to any institutions. They just come on a spot that is considered to provide the opportunity. No training is given or provided, everything is learned by doing. The more time spent on a street, the more experienced and skillful they will be.
Even, sometimes, they can manage streets more smoothly than a police officer.
Who pays their salary? How can they get money for their family if no one pay them for what they do?
Nobody but at the same time, everybody.
There is no institutions that will open their cheque book to oay them. This is not an actual job and mostly initiated by willingness of the guy. So, is no monthly salary like any police officers receive.
However, they surely bring some amount everyday for their family.
Feeling helped drivers often show their appreciation or gratitude by handing over a coin or money when they move in front of the private controller.
The amount is not fixed and depends on the generosity of road users.
Small amount for sure but with thousands of road users everyday on the slot, the amount can go up to hundred thousands a day. This amount will later be shared among a group of traffic controllers as usually they work in a group of 3 or 4.
The money for their family.
The nickname of "A Thousand Rupiah Policeman" a translation of their name in Indonesia, "Polisi Cepek".
The actual meaning of Polisi Cepek is a hundred rupiah policeman. However, since the nominal of a hundred rupiah coin means almost nothing and is already difficult to find, road users often use the smallest coin or bank notes, a thousand rupiah.
That's why the other name of this private traffic controller is a thousand rupiah police.
You may see them in any busy intersection T-junction, or train crossings in a city you visit. They are easy to be spotted.
When you see them please be so kind enough to prepare your coins.