Appeal to the Jakarta Police

Appeal to the Jakarta Police

From Republika

The media reported on April 10, 2000 the death of two women who had jumped from a PPD-52 city bus while a hold-up was taking place on board the bus.

One week earlier, my younger sister was also the target of a hold-up. She was threatened with death before being divested of the jewelry she was wearing. She was riding in a Metromini P-20 bus at Pasar Senen.

Not long ago, a colleague of mine was the victim of a pickpocket. His cellular phone set and his wallet containing hundreds of thousands of rupiah were taken.

An Atma Jaya student on a Metromini Tanah Abang-Pasar Minggu bus was forced to abandon her purse and other valuables in her bag at the risk of losing her life.

The above four examples are witness accounts which form only a small part of the actual conditions on city buses. We have often heard about such happenings befalling our acquaintances, friends and relatives. Unfortunately, we very rarely hear about steps being taken by the authorities to ward off such crimes.

In that context, we wonder why the Jakarta Police are apparently not proactive in protecting the safety of Jakarta residents. If such crimes are allowed to take place I am sure the criminals will become increasingly brazen in committing their crimes.

It is time for the police to assign their personnel to seize and punish the criminals. The police should not ignore such crimes.

H. ABDULLAH

Jakarta