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