Indiscriminate pickpocket<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Where there is sugar, there are ants, goes a
\nwell-known Indonesian proverb. Where there is festivity, even a
\nreligious occasion, there are pickpockets. That was what happened
\nat the Istiqlal Festival II 1995's Tabligh Akbar (great sermon),
\nheld at Surabaya's Great Mosque Sunan Ampel on Friday night.<\/p>\n
And sure enough, the pickpockets didn't work halfheartedly.
\nThey chose celebrities as their victims.<\/p>\n
Secretary-General of the Indonesian Journalists Association
\n(PWI) Parni Hadi, who is also deputy coordinator for the
\nfestival's procession, lost important documents and Rp 300,000
\n(US$132.74). Noted preacher K.H. Zainuddin M.Z. lost his hand
\nphone which was in his secretary' possession.<\/p>\n
Around 13 other people, mostly senior officials and organizers
\nwere among the victims. Head of Antara news agency's bureau in
\nSurabaya, Tukidjan Purwohandoyo, was one of them.<\/p>\n
An officer at the North Surabaya police office was quoted by
\nAntara yesterday as saying that the mosque is reported to be a
\nfavorite area for pickpockets. They often operate in the mosque's
\ncompound, especially on Friday legi (according to Javanese
\ncalendar) when many people visit the grave of Sunan Ampel in the
\ncompound.<\/p>\n
"We have tightened the security, especially when many people
\ncome to this place, but there are always victims," said the
\npoliceman.(als)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indiscriminate-pickpocket-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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