Jakarta Transportation Department revealed that Uber taxi operational in the city is illegal because they do not have operational permit. Hence, Ministry of Communication and Information was instructed to block the Uber taxi website as soon as possible. 

I'd invited them (Uber), but they ignored it. Therefore, we will do coordination with Ministry of Communication and Information over blocking Uber taxi's website

According to Muhammad Akbar. Head of Jakarta Transportation Department, his department would immediately coordinate with Ministry of Communication and Information in terms of blocking Uber taxi's website. This is conducted because they did not respond an invitation from Transportation Department and do not have operational permit.

"I'd invited them (Uber), but they ignored it. Therefore, we will do coordination with Ministry of Communication and Information over blocking Uber taxi's website," stated Akbar, at Jakarta City Hall, Tuesday (8/19).

He stated his party had difficulties to control the Ubet taxi's company and its taxi is physically similar to other private vehicles. "Moreover, they already have an agreement with the passengers. It makes us difficult to crack down on them. That's we decide to block their website soon," he expressed.

Based on the information gathered, he continued, the Uber taxi has been operating in mid-June. But until now, there are no data that could prove they had operational permit or business license.

"They (Uber) do not have permit. If they had it, I think they formed a partnership with public transport management. We want to find out it. On the other hand, we also try to find out how to recognize the Uber vehicles thus they could be followed up on the spot," he said.

He explained taxi is booked via online by visiting the website: www.uber.com or an application via cell phone. Besides in Jakarta, they also exist in 44 big cities in the world, including Bangkok, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, etc.