Two British backpackers have been deported from Indonesia after jokingly joining a motorbike taxi protest against low wages.
Benjamin James Lovell and his friend Benjamin Thomas Sloan cheered on locals and even wore headbands in the capital Jakarta on August 29.
They were also caught on camera marching alongside drivers and wearing their green uniforms in support of the protest against low wages in ride-hailing apps.
The couple were heard chanting “ojol the best” as they waved red flags given to them by Indonesian locals.
The term “ojol” comes from a combination of “ojek”, or motorcycle taxi service, and the word “online”.
But Mr. Sloan and Mr. Lovell were arrested shortly afterward on immigration charges for joining the movement.
Benjamin James Lovell and his friend Benjamin Thomas Sloan cheered on locals and even wore headbands in the capital Jakarta on August 29.
The couple photographed at the Indonesian airport when they were deported.
Hundreds protest against low wages in ride-hailing apps
The backpackers are believed to have told police they joined the protest as a joke, but officers said they would proceed to deport them.
They were photographed at the airport holding their passports shortly before boarding their deportation flight.
Ronald Arman Abdullah, head of Jakarta’s Central Immigration Office, said the two Britons were arrested for allegedly violating Article 75 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on immigration.
He said: ‘They were seen giving speeches during the protest near the Horse Statue, Monas, last Thursday.
“I ordered the team to take action and arrest them. They were then taken to the office for further investigation.”
The two men who entered Indonesia on tourist visas were reportedly detained for six days before being deported to the UK on September 4 at their own expense.
They were also caught on camera marching alongside drivers and wearing their green uniforms in support of ride-hailing apps Grab and Gojek.
The two men hold their passports as they are deported from Indonesia.
More than 1,000 motorcycle taxi drivers staged protests across Indonesia on August 29 to denounce low wages and allegedly unfair practices by ride-hailing companies.
The backpackers are believed to have told police they joined the protest as a joke, but officers said they would proceed to deport them.
Silmy Karim, Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, said: ‘The protest areas are restricted to foreigners. Despite their status as tourists, their participation in the demonstration was a clear violation of immigration rules.
“I commend the Jakarta Central Immigration Office for its swift action. To prevent further violations and to comply with Indonesian regulations, immigration officials across the country are closely monitoring urban and border areas. Foreigners who break the rules will face consequences.”
More than 1,000 motorcycle taxi drivers staged protests across Indonesia on August 29 to denounce low wages and allegedly unfair practices by transport companies in the country.
They urged the government to implement more protections for motorcycle taxi drivers, which are a widespread form of transport in Indonesia.
Benjamin James Lovell and his friend Benjamin Thomas Sloan found themselves caught up in the crowd, even jokingly putting on headbands and cheering with the locals.
They were seen waving red flags given to them by the cyclists and laughing while singing “ojol el mejor”.
