Jakarta Government Investigates Parking Permit Status at Blok M Square

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is currently undertaking a rigorous investigation into Best Parking at Blok M Square, South Jakarta, focusing on its operating permits and an alleged profit-sharing scheme. This comprehensive review follows a decisive sealing action carried out by the Special Committee (Pansus) for Parking Governance of the DKI Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on Monday, May 11.

Yustinus Prastowo, Deputy Coordinator of the DKI Jakarta Governor’s Special Staff, confirmed that both the Transportation Agency (Dishub) and the Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda) are deeply probing two critical areas: the validity of Best Parking’s permits and its adherence to parking tax payment regulations. “Dishub and Bapenda are conducting an in-depth examination, as this matter involves both licensing aspects and the collection of parking taxes,” Prastowo stated during an interview at Jakarta City Hall in Gambir, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, May 12.

Prastowo further affirmed the provincial government’s full support for the steps taken by the DPRD Pansus. He clarified that while the operator’s status is currently deemed “illegal,” this remains an allegation as the investigation process is still actively underway. “We fully endorse the efforts undertaken by the DPRD Special Committee. We refer to it as ‘alleged’ because the entire process is still under the Pansus’s purview,” he explained.

Regarding the suspected profit-sharing scheme, which reportedly implicates the Transportation Agency, Prastowo indicated that this, too, is an integral part of the ongoing internal investigation. He elaborated on the diverse nature of parking management in the city, stating, “Parking management varies significantly. Some private parking operators collect parking tax, which is then remitted to Bapenda. There are also parking facilities organized by the Transportation Agency, particularly on-street parking, which are then managed in collaboration with various third parties.” He reiterated, “Therefore, we will first delve into the specifics of the scheme, its permitting aspects, and compliance with parking tax payments.”

Despite the complexities, the provincial government has issued a clear message: illegal parking activities will not be tolerated. Simultaneously, Prastowo highlighted the government’s commitment to developing long-term solutions, ensuring that enforcement actions are not merely temporary fixes. “We aim to enforce regulations, but at the same time, we must provide viable solutions. This includes ensuring proper parking provisions are established, improving systems, and implementing digitalization,” he affirmed. Prastowo assured the public that all findings from the investigation would be disclosed transparently. “We will provide updates and ensure everything is transparent,” he concluded.

The background to this extensive investigation began when the DPRD DKI Jakarta’s Special Committee for Parking Governance sealed Best Parking at Blok M Square on Monday, May 11. Ahmad Lukman Jupiter, Chairman of the Pansus, explained that this action was a firm assertion of the DPRD’s authority to uphold regulations and protect both public rights and regional finances. “We took this step as a demonstration of the DPRD’s resolve in enforcing rules and safeguarding community rights and regional financial integrity,” Jupiter stated in a press release on May 11.

Based on the Pansus’s preliminary findings, Best Parking is suspected of operating its parking management services without the necessary permits since 2023. “According to the Pansus’s discoveries, the Best Parking operator is suspected of managing parking without possessing a valid permit since 2023,” Jupiter revealed. Furthermore, Jupiter disclosed that the investigation uncovered alleged criminal elements related to tax evasion. These actions, he warned, not only have the potential to inflict significant losses on state finances but also to diminish DKI Jakarta’s original regional revenue (PAD).