Exposing crimes in urban areas

Crimes among poor people in urban areas across the country have been on the increase in the past two to three years. Taxi drivers and motorbike taxi (ojek) drivers have become the victims of crimes.

These crimes have seemingly been ignored by the majority of people who have been overwhelmed by bigger issues, such as the proposed amendments to the 1945 Constitution, the country's huge debt, the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), and the debate on whether or not President Megawati Soekarnoputri must attend the commemoration of East Timor's first independence day on May 20.

Ignoring the tendency toward rising crimes among poor people in urban and suburban areas is a huge mistake.

Can this country progress if it disregards reality?

Protecting people from all walks of life is the responsibility of the nation, isn't it?

-- Republika, Jakarta