Banjarmasin residents ready for poll amid tight security<\/p>\n
By Johannes Simbolon<\/p>\n
BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Residents, recovering from
\nthe shock of Friday's riot and arson that claimed 123 lives, are
\npreparing for tomorrow's general election amid rumors of more
\nunrest.<\/p>\n
Life proceeded normally until sunset yesterday, when men came
\nout to guard their houses until the curfew came into effect at 10
\np.m.<\/p>\n
Kalimantan Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Namoeri Anoem
\nS. said that security personnel were ready to ensure a safe
\nelection, and would get tough on anyone trying to disrupt it.<\/p>\n
He said that a \"shoot on the spot\" order had not been issued,
\nbut promised that his personnel would resort to this \"last
\noption\" if necessary.<\/p>\n
Namoeri said locals had nothing to fear.<\/p>\n
\"The situation is completely under control. Rumors about more
\narson and attacks in various areas are just that, rumors. Don't
\nhelp them spread further,\" he was quoted by Antara as saying
\nafter meeting Governor Gusti Hasan Aman.<\/p>\n
About 50,000 people rioted in the town last Friday, some of
\nthem wore United Development Party (PPP) green and some were
\nGolkar supporters.<\/p>\n
The riot began when supporters of Golkar, campaigning for the
\nlast time there, paraded noisily on vehicles past the Noor mosque
\nin the town's center.<\/p>\n
People, said to have been provoked because campaigning had
\nstarted before the Friday prayer had finished, rampaged,
\nransacking and setting ablaze hundreds of houses, several
\nsupermarkets, cinemas, hotels, churches, and tens of vehicles.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Council of Ulemas' chairman Hasan Basri said
\nSunday he had been trapped inside a burning hotel before being
\nrescued about five hours after he had seen the rioting and fires
\nbegin.<\/p>\n
Police and soldiers regained control of the town after
\nreinforcements arrived from Jakarta late Friday night. On
\nSaturday, they found 121 charred bodies inside the town's largest
\nshopping center, Mitra Plaza, and the remains of two others at
\nthe Lima Cahaya supermarket.<\/p>\n
Victims<\/p>\n
Officials have said the 121 victims were looters who got
\ntrapped in the fire. The charred bodies, most of which could not
\nbe identified, would be buried in one grave Friday, said South
\nKalimantan acting police spokesman Kusbini Imbar yesterday.<\/p>\n
Kusbini told The Jakarta Post that police had not been
\nprepared for the riot. Only 250 police had been deployed to face
\nthe 50,000 rioters.<\/p>\n
He said the provincial police force, confident about security
\nin the town, had sent about 100 personnel to Jakarta before
\nFriday to help contain campaign violence in the capital.<\/p>\n
\"In addition, we didn't have enough teargas cannons and rubber
\nbullets. But we refrained from shooting during the riot to stop
\nthe situation worsening,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Kusbini said about 1,000 security personnel from Jakarta and
\nEast Kalimantan had arrived since Friday to help guarantee
\nsecurity for the election, and that more reinforcements would
\narrive.<\/p>\n
Police believed the riot was organized by \"members of certain
\norganizations\" but police were still gathering evidence to
\ncapture them, he said without elaboration.<\/p>\n
Governor Gusti Hasan Aman has blamed \"intellectual actors\" for
\nthe unrest.<\/p>\n
The PPP South Kalimantan branch's chief, Syafriansyah, refused
\nto comment about the unrest: \"I will only comment after the
\nelection.\"<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, the National Commission on Human Rights'
\nsecretary-general, Baharuddin Lopa, announced that a fact-finding
\nteam would be sent to Banjarmasin tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Lopa said he would lead the team, accompanied by Maj. Gen.
\n(ret) Syamsudin, Mohammad Salim, Soetandyo Wignjosoebroto and
\nAsmara Nababan.<\/p>\n
Lopa said his team would seek to clarify why there had been
\ndiffering accounts of riot casualties. Police have said 123 died,
\nwhile media reports have put the death toll between 133 and 142.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the Nusantara legal aid foundation's Jakarta
\nchapter, Desmond J. Mahesa, appealed yesterday for respect and
\nproper identification of the victims labeled \"criminals\" by
\nNational Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Nurfaizi.<\/p>\n
Desmond had asked Lopa in a meeting to ensure that the rights
\ncommission would verify the victims' identities and clear the
\ninnocent victims' names in the Banjarmasin riots.<\/p>\n
Rights body -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/banjarmasin-residents-ready-for-poll-amid-tight-security-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }