The stench of Senen station

The stench of Senen station

From Neraca

It's been three years since I visited the Senen railway station. I was very shocked to find how horrible it has become when I went there early this week to send a package to Yogyakarta.

The station was filthy. Some homeless people were lying naked on the platform, while bands of youngsters were hanging around with menacing looks on their faces.

The platform stank of urine and the railway officials didn't seem to care at all. Instead of moving away the malcontents, they sat idly and excitedly harassed any woman or girl passing by.

The station chief was clearly uninterested in dealing with the situation.

At the adjacent park, which I passed on my way to the nearby Senen bus terminal, I watched an even more horrible situation. Many boys and girls were interacting in an manner that was rather unpleasant to see at midday. Also, the traders continued selling their goods, which is against city ordinance.

If a man like me felt frightened, I cannot imagine how horrified women or girls from West and East Java would feel once they disembark at the station.

With this letter, I call on the station's chief to take care of the situation.

YUDHI PRAJOKO

Cempaka Putih Raya

Central Jakarta