Yogyakarta Palace Calls for Investigation into Alleged Illegal Levies on Food Trucks; City Government Coordinates with Police

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Yogyakarta Palace has called for a thorough investigation into alleged illegal levies targeting food truck operators at Alun-alun Kidul.

In connection with this, Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Wawan Harmawan has communicated with the police authorities.

“I think the Palace’s commitment is absolutely right. It is indeed the role of the authorities to further inquire in more detail about the concrete information,” Wawan said when met at Alun-alun Kidul, Yogyakarta City, Friday (18/9/2026).

He stated that any criminal elements in the case lie within the police’s jurisdiction to investigate.

Therefore, the Yogyakarta City Government has coordinated with and referred this case to the police.

“We will see how the police handle it, as the police have the authority. I have already coordinated with them to assess the potential criminal aspects,” he added.

Food Truck Parking Fee at Rp 1 Million per Day

Previously, a food truck operator complained about alleged illegal fees when setting up business at Alun-alun Kidul.

According to a viral video on social media, the operator was asked to pay a sum of money covering parking and operational fees over five days from September 16 to 20, 2026.

The requested parking fee was Rp 1 million per day. After one day of operation, the food truck owner decided to stop selling at Alun-alun Kidul and relocate.

Regarding this, Penghageng Kawedanan Hageng Panitrapura Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Condrokirono stated that the food truck had obtained official permission from the Palace.

“The Yogyakarta Palace has granted official permission for the food truck activities in accordance with applicable regulations,” said the second princess of the Yogyakarta Palace in a written statement on Friday (18/9/2026).

Not Part of the Licensing Process

In relation to demands for parking payments and other requests, GKR Condrokirono emphasized that these are not part of the licensing process or levies imposed by the Yogyakarta Palace.

“Regarding payments for parking and other demands made publicly on social media by the concerned party, we want to clarify that these are not part of the licensing process nor levies imposed by the Yogyakarta Palace,” she stressed.

She hopes that incidents occurring outside official procedures will be properly handled by relevant parties to prevent similar events in the future.