Damaged roads invite crime

INDRAMAYU, West Java: Damaged roads along the Indramayu- Cirebon and Jatibarang-Cirebon routes have become a new source of income for thugs, with at least 100 reports of motorists falling victim to extortion in recent months.

Indramayu Police chief Adj. Sr. Com. Eko Hadi Sutedjo said hoodlums were taking advantage of passing vehicles by extorting money from motorists forced to slow down due to poor road conditions.

Eko said local police had assigned a special team to crack down on the illegal activity with 21 suspects already arrested since April.

No explanation could be immediately given as to why the local administration had not taken steps to repair the road.

Crime-prone areas on the route include Kandanghaur, Lorosarang, Krangkeng, Kertasemaya, Jatibarang, Widasari, Kandanghaur, Eretan and Pamanukan.

Last week hundreds of bus drivers plying the Cirebon-Jakarta route held a rally to focus attention on the issue. They said they were told to pay between Rp 10,000 (US$1.10) and Rp 100,000 each time they used the road. --JP