Cleaners Find $34,555 Cash on Indonesian Train, Return It

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Two Indonesian railway workers found Rp 500 million in cash (equivalent of $34,555) during a routine shift and handed it over to authorities.

Mujenih and Egi Sandi turned over the bundles of money to passenger service authorities at Bogor Station on July 6. The rightful owner has come forward to claim the money.

Mujenih, who discovered the bag brimming with cash, said he had no intention of taking the money upon seeing it. 

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He originally thought the plastic bag was filled with trash.

Out of curiosity, he opened it only to find piles of Rp 100,000 bills with some of the bills wrapped in newspaper.

Mujenih and Egi were on duty cleaning and clearing train carts that had just pulled up at Bojonggede Station headed for Bogor Station.

“I immediately brought the money to the office at Bogor Station because I didn’t have the intention to take it. It wasn’t my right,” said Mujenih.

Mujenih said that he didn’t expect his action to receive praise from various parties especially Indonesia’s Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir.

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“Praise be to God. What a huge blessing that you have given. Thank you to Mister Erick and other officials of state-owned enterprises for this award. I did not expect that my actions would be this appreciated,” said Mujenih.

PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) CEO Wiwiek Widayanti said Mujenih and Egi Sandai's deed were in line with the company and PT Kereta Api Indonesia’s standard operating procedure.

Hundreds of missing items are reported to Lost & Found authorities every month.

Wiwiek explained the KCI’s lost and found system is linked to 80 train stations. The Indonesian railway workers have since been promoted as permanent staff members at KCI.

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