Gambling on trains

Gambling on trains

From Republika

On June 29, 2001, I was on the night train Gaya Baru Malam Selatan I from Purwosari to Purwokerto.

As all the passenger cars were crowded, including the corridors, at around 10.30 p.m., I went to the restaurant carriage to sleep on the floor (with newspaper as my bedsheet).

To my disbelief, I was chased out by three men who shouted with hands raised: "This is a restaurant carriage!" These men, employees of the state-run train, had been gambling as I saw domino cards and bundles of money in their hands.

How demeaning! This was not my first such experience. My question is: "How can one expect conscientious service from such bad-mannered public servants? I wonder what is inside their heads and hearts".

NUR ADI SEPTANTO

Banjarnegara, Central Java