Facing ticket scalpers

Facing ticket scalpers

From Warta Kota

The customary annual journey to one's home town, popularly known as "mudik", is being undertaken by a huge number of people this year, particularly in the most densely populated island of Java. Local governments have anticipated problems that may arise in terms of transportation and crimes.

This year's mudik is special in that it takes place in the week of Christmas and Idul Fitri closely followed by New Year 2001. It is natural, therefore, to see crowds of people lining up for tickets at bus terminals, railway stations, harbors and airports. As expected, there has been an increased number of people selling tickets at those places, of course, at higher prices.

In Jakarta, efforts have been made by parties concerned to minimize the number of scalpers or at least to limit their activities. To the best of my knowledge, the efforts made by the police have been nearly without success. The reason could be, as I was told, because certain local policemen allegedly have been involved in the illegal ticket sales.

I am writing this to urge the police to do something better to truly eliminate those illegal ticket sales, which is harmful to the public.

ALI COKROWERDOYO

Jakarta