Looting on toll road

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