Raffi Ahmad Admits the Official Car with RI 36 Plate Is His

KatadataOTO – Raffi Ahmad, Special Presidential Envoy for Youth and Art Workers, has finally clarified that the car with the license plate RI 36 is his official vehicle. The unit came under scrutiny after an escort officer was seen pointing at a taxi that was changing lanes.

However, he revealed that he was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident. This was because the car was on its way to pick him up.

“It is true that the car is the vehicle I use. However, at the time of the incident, I was not inside because it was on its way to pick me up for my next meeting agenda," said Raffi, as reported by Antara (11/01).

AKBP Argo Wiyono, Deputy Director of Traffic for the Metro Jaya Regional Police, explained that the incident occurred on Wednesday (8/1) around 4:30 PM WIB on Sudirman-Thamrin Street. At that time, a road patching truck was stopped in the middle lane.

Photo : Screenshot

“As a result, there was a traffic jam, and an Alphard taxi tried to move to the right. But at the same time, there was a vehicle from the right, a white Suzuki Ertiga, which was also trying to move forward, almost causing a collision,” Argo then explained.

Consequently, the Alphard taxi stopped for a rather long pause, and an argument was seen occurring between the two vehicles. The incident also created the potential for a traffic jam.

"At that moment, the escort personnel took the initiative to intervene and asked the Alphard taxi to move forward immediately to avoid causing a traffic jam. At that time, a gesture from the officer, pointing, was seen as arrogant, " said Argo.

However, the case is confirmed not to be over just like that. The Metro Jaya Regional Police Traffic Directorate stated they will look for the Alphard taxi driver to ask for clarification.

"Whether there were actions or words from the Traffic Directorate personnel that were considered impolite or arrogant," he added.

He also apologized if the gesture made by the officer was considered inappropriate or arrogant. This incident will certainly be a lesson for future escorts.

Photo : Screenshot

It should be noted that there are several vehicles that have priority, requiring other road users to pull over to give way. This is regulated in Article 134 of Law No. 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation.

The following is a list of priority vehicles

• Fire trucks on duty
• Ambulances transporting sick people
• Vehicles providing assistance at traffic accidents
• Vehicles of the leaders of the State Institutions of the Republic of Indonesia
• Vehicles of foreign state leaders and officials, as well as international institutions who are state guests
• Funeral processions
• Convoys and/or vehicles for specific purposes based on the judgment of the Indonesian National Police officers.