The Bajaj, The Man, The Legend
My name is Bajuri, but everyone in the Kalijodo neighborhood calls me Brother Juri. I’m the driver of bajaj (three-wheeled taxi) with license plate B 1234 JI, the go-to ride for North Jakarta locals for 15 years. But don’t be fooled—behind the smoky exhaust and flat tires lies the story of a man whose life is as winding as Jakarta’s traffic-choked streets.
Early Days: From the Village to Urban Chaos
I was born in Cirebon, but fate dragged me to Jakarta in 1990. I started as a construction worker until one day, tired of getting yelled at by my foreman, I bought a beat-up bajaj for 2 million rupiah. “This’ll be my palace,” I said, wiping oil off the leaky seat.
My first bajaj—nicknamed The Comet—broke down constantly, especially near Mall Artha Gading. But that’s where I met my wife, Sumiati, a noodle soup vendor whose cart I crashed into because of faulty brakes. “You’re great at driving, but terrible at flirting,” she teased.
Life on the Streets: Stories from Behind the Wheel
Every day, The Comet and I witnessed it all:
- Strange Passengers: From grandmothers demanding drop-offs on highways to thugs hiring me to stalk their exes.
- Dumb Cops: Officers who acted tough, demanding cigarette money, even though I got more tickets for my “dangdut exhaust” than speeding.
- Rivalry: Battling Tarkam, a frizzy-haired bajaj driver who claimed “my route!” even though his talent was parking illegally at bus stops.
But the most memorable moment? Driving a soap opera star to her studio. She said, “You look like Mat Solar, that comedian!” I just laughed. No actor would ever want to play my messy life.
Bajaj Bajuri: When My Life Became a TV Show
In 2002, a director overheard me and Tarkam arguing about fare hikes due to rising fuel costs at our usual coffee stall. “This is pure comedy!” he said. A week later, I was cast in the TV show Bajaj Bajuri.
I thought I’d be an extra. Instead, the main character was named after me—Bajuri. “For authenticity,” the director said. Sumiati protested: “What if you have to kiss some actress?!”
Behind the Scenes: More Complicated Than a Bajaj Engine
Filming wasn’t just sitting in a bajaj. I had to:
- Memorize Lines: Even though my expertise was shouting, “C’mon, ma’am! Just 10k to Roxy!”
- Act with Stars: Like “Pak Ogah” (played by Mat Ocon), who acted tough on-screen but begged me off-screen to teach him how to drive a bajaj.
- Hold Back Laughter: Every time Tarkam (played by Suti Karno) cracked a joke, I nearly choked trying not to laugh.
But earning 500k per episode paid for The Comet’s repairs and new shoes for my kids.
Lessons Behind the Laughter
Twelve years as Bajuri taught me:
- Comedy is Escape: Laughter lets people forget debts and floods.
- The Bajaj is a Teacher: A temperamental engine teaches patience.
- Fame is Fleeting: Fans once lined up for selfies; now, Gen Z knows TikTokers better than me.
Still on the Road
Bajaj Bajuri ended in 2014. The Comet became scrap metal, replaced by sleek electric bajaj. But I’m still driving—now as a ride-hailing motorbike driver. Sometimes passengers ask, “You look just like Bajuri!” I grin: “Yeah, I’m his biggest fan.”
Life moves on. But in my heart, Bajuri remains—with the rumble of engines, passengers’ laughter, and the memory of how a bajaj driver once made all of Indonesia laugh.
Mat Solar
Actor, “Bajaj Bajuri” (2002-2014)
Ride-Hailing Driver & Keeper of Memories
“Life is like a bajaj: sometimes you gotta circle around before finding the right path.” 🛺💨