Authorities Urged to Crack Down on Alleged Extortion of Food Trucks at Alun-Alun Kidul Jogja

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Chairperson of the DPR Commission VII, Evita Nursanty, has highlighted allegations of thuggery, intimidation, and illegal extortion against micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) food truck operators in the Alun-Alun Kidul (Alkid) area of Yogyakarta.

Evita emphasized that such practices should not be tolerated.

She stated that MSME operators must receive certainty and a sense of security in conducting their businesses.

"I also affirm that acts of thuggery, intimidation, or illegal levies against MSME actors should not be tolerated and must be regulated by authorities according to legal provisions," Evita said in a phone interview with Kompas.com on Sunday (9/20/2026).

She believes MSME operators should be able to conduct their business activities without being burdened by charges that have no legal basis.

"MSME actors have the right to run their businesses safely and receive certainty, rather than being burdened by charges lacking legal grounds," she added.

Furthermore, Evita urged the Ministry of MSMEs to come forward with advocacy and assistance for MSME food truck operators affected by the parking disputes in the Alkid area.

According to her, area management must still be carried out by respecting regulations, order, and the interests of the community.

However, the management should not eliminate the business opportunities and livelihoods of MSME operators without clear solutions.

"In principle, the Ministry of MSMEs must provide advocacy and assistance to food truck MSME actors impacted by the parking polemic in Alun-Alun Kidul Yogyakarta," Evita affirmed.

She also encouraged the Ministry of MSMEs to coordinate with local governments and relevant authorities to find solutions to the issue.

She mentioned one option that could be considered is to provide suitable alternative business locations, should relocation be necessary.

"Therefore, I urge the Ministry of MSMEs to coordinate with local government and relevant authorities to seek a fair and concrete solution, including providing decent alternative business locations if relocation is indeed required," she said.

Evita stressed that managing MSMEs must be accompanied by development and protection.

Meanwhile, acts of thuggery and extortion must be dealt with firmly in accordance with legal provisions.

"MSMEs should not only be regulated but also nurtured, protected, and guaranteed their business space. Meanwhile, acts of thuggery and illegal extortion must be firmly addressed," Evita said.

Previously, a businessman in Yogyakarta complained about alleged extortion when he opened a food truck in the Alun-Alun Kidul area.

Based on a video post that went viral on social media, the businessman was asked to pay a sum of money for parking and eating fees over five days, from September 16 to 20, 2026.

The parking fee requested was Rp 1 million per day. After operating for one day, the food truck owner decided no longer to sell at Alun-Alun Kidul and chose to relocate.