Alkid Yogyakarta Food Truck Illegal Levy Allegations: Latest Developments on the Rp 1 Million Parking Fee

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Allegations of illegal levies (pungli) against food truck operators in the Alun-Alun Kidul (Alkid) area of Yogyakarta continue to attract attention after a video went viral on social media.

Food truck operators previously reported being asked to pay a parking fee of Rp 1 million per day to sell in the Alkid area.

In addition, the operators said they were also asked to provide money for refreshments during their selling period from September 16-20, 2026.

After operating for just one day, the food truck owners decided to stop selling at Alkid and moved to a different location.

Transportation Agency Says Parking Fees Are Unofficial

The Yogyakarta City Transportation Agency (Dishub) emphasized that it has never issued parking permits in the Alkid area.

The Head of the Parking Division at Dishub, Aminudin Aziz, said according to Yogyakarta City Regulation Number 2 of 2019 on parking and its technical regulations, no parking attendants have been officially licensed by Dishub in that area.

Dishub only regulates parking signage in the area, he added.

Furthermore, Dishub has not issued any permits for the use of Alkid land for food trading activities conducted by food truck operators.

"When complaints come from food truck operators regarding illegal levies or parking fees, they are indeed unlicensed charges. Nothing is official," Aminudin explained, as quoted from Kompas.com on Friday (September 18, 2026). 

Yogyakarta Police Step In

The Yogyakarta City Police have instructed the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit and the Head of the Internal Affairs Division to investigate the alleged illegal levies.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Iptu Dani Hasan, said this step was taken to clarify the widely circulated social media reports.

The Police Chief has also formed a team to follow up on allegations involving police officers reportedly requesting free meals from culinary entrepreneurs who wanted to open stalls in Alkid.

"Currently, the Criminal Investigation Unit and the Internal Affairs function are conducting thorough investigations and verifications on the ground, and the process is ongoing," Dani stated, quoted from Tribun Jogja on Friday.

He affirmed that if any legal violations or breaches of standard operating procedures by officers are found during the investigation, appropriate action will be taken according to applicable regulations.

Keraton Confirms Food Trucks Are Licensed

Amid the controversy, the Yogyakarta Palace (Keraton) confirmed that the food trucks operating in Alkid have obtained official permits.

Penghageng Kawedanan Hageng Panitrapura Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, GKR Condrokirono, stated that the permits were issued in accordance with applicable regulations.

"The Yogyakarta Palace has granted permits for the food truck activities in compliance with prevailing rules," said GKR Condrokirono, quoted from Kompas.com, Friday.

However, the Palace emphasized that demands for parking fees or other payments directed at food truck operators are not part of the licensing process nor official levies imposed by the Yogyakarta Palace.

"Regarding the parking fee payments and other requests conveyed via social media, we must clarify that these are not part of the licensing procedure nor charges established by the Yogyakarta Palace," she stressed.

City Government Still Gathering Information

The Yogyakarta City Government has coordinated with the police, the Palace, and local community leaders to address the issue.

Deputy Mayor of Yogyakarta, Wawan Harmawan, said the city government has not yet entered mediation as it is still collecting valid information.

"We are not at the mediation stage yet. This is still one-sided information, so we are trying to find the most reliable facts. Then we will determine the next steps," Wawan explained.

He added that the city government remains open to processing suspected violations if strong indications of illegal levies are found.

Wawan also urged traders and residents who feel harmed or victimized by similar practices not to hesitate to report to the Yogyakarta City Government.

Parking Manager Provides Explanation

Meanwhile, one of the parking managers at Alkid, Supriyo Dwi Hartanto, gave his account regarding the Rp 1 million per day payment request.

According to Supriyo, his team was approached by four individuals intending to use the parking area at Alkid.

The area intended for the food trucks was estimated to be about 25 meters, and the Rp 1 million daily fee was reportedly agreed upon.

He said the area was blocked off to prevent tourists from parking there so that the food truck operations would not interfere with visitors.

"The block isn't for just one food truck; we have evidence of this. We clear the area to prevent disruptions if tourists park there," he said.

Regarding the refreshment money, Supriyo denied the parking management ever asked for it. He said the food truck crew actually offered the money themselves and claimed to have chat proof about it.

"The crew offered it; we didn't ask. I have the chats. So, we're not requesting payment — excuse me, we are just following up," he explained.

(Source: Kompas.com/Wisang Seto Pangaribowo | Editor: Vachri Rinaldy Lutfipambudi)

Part of this article was previously published on TribunJogja.com under the titles Police Form Team to Investigate Alleged Police Involvement in Free Meal Requests at Alkid Yogyakarta and Response from Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor on Viral Allegations of Illegal Levies in Alkid Area.