"This token of appreciation from the Jakarta administration is given for your decision and action to help save a public transport passenger several days ago," Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo said at the award presentation at the City Hall.
A woman was taking a minivan public transport locally called "angkot" home from work at night last week when suddenly a gang of people attacked her trying to rob and rape her. Nicholas who happened to pass on the street where the angkot went heard her shouting for help. He then followed the angkot making the gang released her but throwing her out of the car. The police have arrested some of the suspects.
Governor Fauzi Bowo said the action and courage shown by Second Sergeant Nicholas Sandi from the Army`s special force (Kopassus) must be taken as an example for other residents in Jakarta to follow.
"I am grateful the crime could be aborted and thanked Nicholas for it," he said.
The governor said that "basically security responsibility cannot be fully put on the shoulder of security authorities but community members are also expected to take part of it."
He said anyone must be called for to act when he or she saw something wrong so that security efforts could be taken.
Sergeant Nicholas did not only receive a token of appreciation but was also rewarded a free plane ticket from Jakarta to Papua, his home province, vice versa and some pocket money.
Nicholas who was concerned about criminality in the capital city expressed hope on the occasion that people would not stay idle in case they saw crimes being committed. (R027/YH/BSR/S012)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
