Young ruffians

From Pos Kota

One recent evening at around 7 p.m., while stopping at a red light on Jl. Mangga Dua, a street urchin around seven years old approached and began banging on my car window with something that looked like a rock. Shouting at me through the window, and all the while knocking on my window, the young brat demanded that I give him Rp 1,000, which because of his impudent demeanor I, of course, refused to do.

Apparently angered, he banged the side mirror of my car with increasing force. I offered the boy Rp 100 but he refused and instead began shouting abuses at me. "What do I do with Rp 100. I want Rp 1,000," he shouted.

Glancing out of my car window I then saw that the boy was not alone. Nearby behind him were three bigger boys who were intently watching me. Fortunately the light turned green and I sped away. But a last blow hit the window and caused a crack in the glass.

I hope the authorities will keep a stricter eye on those street urchins or other motorists may become their victims.

JULIA Jakarta