Gojek riders protest outside Msian embassy in Jakarta, demand apology for insult

AKARTA: More than 400 Gojek riders held a demonstration outside the Malaysian embassy here on Tuesday to protest against recent remarks made by Big Blue Taxi Facilities Sdn Bhd founder, Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail.

The demonstrators, who were demanding that Shamsubahrin apologise for his comments against Gojek riders and Indonesians, also raised funds for him to travel here to ask for forgiveness in person.

The protest was held in response to a video clip of Shamsubahrin voicing his objection to the introduction of the motorcycle e-hailing service in Malaysia, Bernama reported.

“This (Indonesia) is a poor country. We (Malaysia) are a rich country. If Indonesia’s youths are any good, they would not leave their country to look for a job.

“Gojek is only for the poor, like those in Jakarta,” Shamsubahrin says in the video.

The footage went viral in Indonesia and caused outrage across the country, with Gojek spokeswoman Theresia Ismiyanti demanding that Shamsubahrin travel to Jakarta to make a public apology.

On Aug 30, a contrite Shamsubahrin submitted a written apology to Indonesia’s association of motorcycle workers (Garda).

The letter, which was received by the Malaysian embassy, was handed over to Garda chief Igun Wicaksono by the Malaysian Police Attache in Indonesia, Abu Bakar Yaacob.