'I am too scared to talk to strangers'

The annual Idul Fitri exodus provides an opportunity for crime at bus terminals and train stations, as many crooks may target travelers, while ticket scalpers and thugs may harass passengers. The Jakarta Post asked several people at bus terminals about security conditions.

Sri Suhartini, 50, is a housewife and resides in Cibubur, East Jakarta. She is heading for her hometown of Surabaya, East Java:

I confess I'm scared to go into the Pulogadung bus station, as it's notorious as one of the most dangerous places in Jakarta, and it's a well-known hangout for thugs.

Frankly, I'm so scared that I'm wary of talking to any strangers at all. Then again, many say that we have to stay alert in places like this.

I'm also afraid of the ticket scalpers, who always extort or push themselves onto travelers like me. Fortunately, I already have my own ticket, so I have a reason to refuse them.

Even the taxi driver dropped me off far from the bus station for some reason. I guess he didn't want to take the chance that he might get himself into trouble if he got near the station.

I feel a bit relieved, though, as some civil guards and police and military officers are patrolling the area.

The only thing worrying me now are those criminals who use drugs or hypnotism to rob their victims.

Nur, 21, is a housemaid in Palmerah, Central Jakarta, who has been working in the capital for about two years. She wants to go see her family in Wonosobo, Central Java:

I don't feel safe going to the bus or railway stations in Jakarta. They all sound horrible to me. I've also heard that many people have had their things stolen from them on public buses or trains.

I cannot hide the fact that I worry a lot about going home during the peak season, but what can I do? This is the only chance I have to visit my family in my hometown. I've got to go home, otherwise I will miss our family reunion to celebrate Idul Fitri.

The scalpers, who always cheat people looking for tickets home, also scare me.

I don't feel at all safe whenever I'm going home for Idul Fitri, probably because I'm still traumatized by my experience last year, when some bandits attempted to rob my bus in the middle of the jungle in Central Java. Luckily, there were police officers nearby, who chased and caught them.

I always bring some money home each year, and I have a little over Rp 1 million this time. It's the only savings I have. I don't have a bank account, let alone an ATM card, so I put my money in the socks I wear and put my shoes on over them. That way, I know my money is safe.

I've promised myself to be extra careful now, and to be especially alert to crooks who pretend to be nice to me. Crooks like that may drug or poison their victims. I hope nothing like that will happen to me.

Murwani is a housewife and has lived with her husband in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, for four years. She is going to Madiun, East Java:

It's natural for a woman to feel insecure, not to mention in the middle of this big Idul Fitri exodus.

I worry about the unpredictable during these long and tiring trips. I'm pregnant now, so I need to be extra careful.

In fact, I didn't want to go home this year, but my parents insisted that I come home and stay there until my baby is born next month. I think it's risky to take this trip, but I don't really have a choice.

I feel a bit relieved as, fortunately, I'm departing from the Lebak Bulus bus terminal in South Jakarta. It is far safer and more comfortable than the Pulogadung bus terminal.

Generally, it seems the security here is under control as I see many police and military officers, as well as volunteers, monitoring the terminal.

Andri, 26, lives in Ciledug, Tangerang, with his wife. He is going to Surakarta, Central Java, to see his in-laws:

This is my first time to celebrate Idul Fitri outside the city, so I think it's normal that I feel a little worried about the long trip home. I worry that criminals might hijack the bus or harm the passengers.

However, the situation in the bus terminal here seems to be monitored and secured by many police officers. I'm sure it is much safer compared to the other bus stations in the city, which are known to be teeming with crooks.

The most important thing is that I continue to pray for our safe journey. I hope nothing happens to any of us.

-- Leo Wahyudi S