Letter: Are they street singers or thugs?

On Saturday  (July 2), I was on my way back to Jakarta from Puncak in Bogor, West Java with my group. Our bus stopped for a moment and suddenly two street singers entered.

The street singers looked bedraggled and smelled of alcohol. The bus was full of kids, so we panicked when they saw the street singers enter and not want to leave.

Then they sang a song and forced us to give them some money. It looked dangerous and worrisome. Even children were hushed. We gave money to the street singers so that they would leave the bus.

Thugs like them work not only in Puncak, but on public transportations in Jakarta. They sing in threatening tones which is very disturbing. They could have suddenly robbed or hurt people if they had not gotten money. Where were the police? Why are such street singers allowed to operate?

Why do the police officers gather in public places like bus terminals and allow such thugs to operate? I hope the police will be firmer on those who threaten the security of the general public.

Tarida Fransiska
Jakarta