Transport crimes must be fought

Criminal acts against public transport passengers in Jakarta are getting even more brutal. Besides committing robbery, thugs will, without hesitation, inflict injuries on and even kill their victims.

On Feb. 27, a student of the University of Indonesia, died in a Jakarta-Bogor commuter train robbery, while a gang of bandits beat up city bus passengers recently.

A large-scale anti-bandit operation to fight criminals threatening the safety of Jakarta passengers is therefore a must. The police should position officers on Greater Jakarta trains during peak hours and on vulnerable city bus routes.

Millions of Jakarta citizens have to accept public transport facilities that offer minimum comfort and substandard service. The prevalence of criminals in such facilities, however, is unacceptable because we have the right to peaceful daily activities.

HUSEIN HABSYI, Jakarta