British lads allegedly deported for jokingly joining Indonesia protest

Benjamin James Lovell and friend Benjamin Thomas Sloan were caught up in crowds – putting on headbands and cheering with the locals in Jakarta on August 29.

Footage emerged of the holidaymakers marching alongside the drivers and even donning green uniforms in support of ride-hailing apps Grab and Gojek.

More clips showed them carrying flags and chanting ‘ojol the best’ as the Indonesian natives cheered them on. ‘Ojol’ is a portmanteau of ‘ojek’ or motorcycle taxi service, and the word ‘online’.

But furious police arrested them shortly after on immigration charges for joining the movement against low pay in the gig economy for ride-hailing apps.

The lads are understood to have told police they were in the area at the same time as the protest and joined in as a joke but officers said they would proceed with deporting them.

Ronald Arman Abdullah, Head of the Central Jakarta Immigration Office, said both Brits were arrested for reportedly violating Article 75 of Law No. 6 of 2011 regarding immigration.

He said: ‘They were observed giving speeches during the protest near the Horse Statue, Monas, last Thursday. I directed the team to take action and detain them. They were subsequently brought to the office for further investigation.’

The men were found to have entered Indonesia on tourist visas. They were reportedly detained for six days before being deported back to the UK from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on September 4 at their own expense.

Silmy Karim, Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, said: ‘Protest areas are restricted for foreigners. Despite their status as tourists, their involvement in the demonstration constituted a clear breach of immigration rules.

‘I commend the Central Jakarta Immigration Office for their swift action. To prevent further violations and uphold Indonesia’s standards, immigration officers across the country are vigilant in monitoring both urban and border areas. Foreigners who breach regulations will face consequences.’

More than 1,000 motorcycle taxi riders staged protests across cities in Indonesia on August 29 to slam low pay and allegedly unfair practices by ride-hailing companies in the country.

They urged the government to implement more protections for drivers of motorcycle taxis which are a widespread form of transport in Indonesia.