Looting on toll road

On Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998, as I was returning to Bandung from Jakarta after a business appointment, I had a very bad experience on a toll road and had to give away all personal belongings to looters.

It was about 5 p.m., and as we proceeded along the toll near Tanjung Priok, all of a sudden 15 to 20 boys armed with knives and stones came onto the toll road and forced our vehicle to stop and open the windows.

I had to give them my wristwatch, gold chain, wallet (which had my driver's license, ATM card and cash in it), sunglasses, Reiter Ball Pen, trouser belt and also a shirt. A female employee in the back had to give her jacket, and the driver was also robbed of his cash. Vehicle registration papers were also taken away.

This sorry affair was closely watched by two towing vehicles about 50 meters ahead, which later also insisted we stop our vehicle. We had no choice but to run and save ourselves from further damages. At the toll entrance no information was provided.

NATHANI VIJAY MANEKCHAND

Bandung