From Tempo:
When Airport Toilet Becomes Thieves’ Target
Soekarno Hatta Airport ｍａｎａｇｅｍｅｎｔ is overwhelmed because of ｔｈｅ toilet. This public facility has now become a popular target for thieves. Not only are they after passengers’ luggage, they’re also stealing toilet amenities such as water faucets, light bulbs, and toilet paper. “Hangers were also taken,” said the Corporate Secretary of PT Angkasa Pura II, Trisno Heryadi on Thursday 13 September 2012.
Trisno said the airport toilet thieves have not yet been identified. He commented that the thefts have caused massive disturbances to all passengers of Soekarno Hatta airport. “Because when users turn on the tap, the water faucet is missing, and if they want to use toilet paper, it’s not there,” he said.
Airport management suspects the thefts were conducted separately by a handful of airport users. The number of thefts observed is larger during peak hours (fix season) such as the holiday seasons and public holidays. “We once caught an offender who turned out to be a flight passenger. His/her reason for taking the water faucet was simply because it looks nice,” said Trisno.
A representative for the General Affairs Branch of PT Angkasa Pura II, Yudis Tiawan, said it anticipates more thefts at airport toilet facilities. Therefore, they plan to start distinguishing the cleaning service vendors for each terminal. Thus, the janitors on duty at each toilet will be able to focus on work and prevent thefts. “We are planning to start this month,” said Yudis.
A notice written in poor English posted at Soekarno-Hatta Airport toilet.
Comments from Kaskus:
Fothermucker:
Oh my god, Indonesian people, this is going too far.
F0K3:
Petty thieves, even taking water faucets.
Urgdubai:
Tsk tsk tsk… even the toilet is now a target for thieves?
Anak.lelebamb:
This issue arises because flights are becoming more affordable to country bumpkins who come from small villages. Their hands are only used to destroy and steal!
The problem is not with the security of the airport, but with the moral values of those country bumpkins who destroy the image of our nation!!!
Combroabis:
It’s okay, boss, could be souvenirs for the the village.
This could be an “inside job” and the blame is placed on passengers, boss..
Anything could be taken as long it can be exchanged for money.
Erotheking:
1st impression, Soakarno Hatta has always been a very disorganized airport. Now after learning about these issues, the airport management simply sucks!!!
Ricostarico:
There is way too many thieves in this country: Big thief, small thief, when given the opportunity even a water faucet can be stolen!
WeWantWar:
How can this country move forward if its citizens love to vandalize?
Jakamalela76:
Clearly [Indonesia] still a poor country, boss.
VIAMODEM:
I support the idea of making the airport a non-public area, an area restricted to passengers only. Nowadays, anyone can enter airport facilities such as street vendors, taxi or bus drivers.
Manusiapagi:
People have run out of ideas on what to steal.
HOAXAWARD:
Ahhh… might just be an excuse to ask for more money for “project development” [corruption]! Indonesia always has really stupid excuses when asking for more project money.
Don’t blame the passengers!!!
Ghardy:
Wow, water faucet, toilet paper… can they even be sold?
What do you think? Is this phenomenon unique to Indonesia?
