Habibie visits riot-hit areas, promises help<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie toured several Jakarta
\nshopping centers which were damaged during rioting and looting
\nearlier this month, and expressed his sadness over the unrest
\nthat has caused so much suffering.<\/p>\n
He told Chinatown traders in Glodok, West Jakarta, that the
\ngovernment would help them in all possible ways.<\/p>\n
He also convinced traders of Chinese descent -- who were the
\ntarget of most rioters -- of the government's intent to provide
\nequal treatment for all, and that the government was obliged to
\nprotect all citizens, regardless of their ethnic background.<\/p>\n
"We are all Indonesian citizens and in Indonesia we do not
\nallow (discrimination because of) differences in ethnic origin,
\nreligion or race. It will not be tolerated. Therefore we do not
\nneed to worry about this," Habibie told the traders during a
\ndialog.<\/p>\n
During the visit Habibie was accompanied by his wife Hasri
\nAinun Besari, Minister of Defense and Security\/Armed Forces
\nCommander Gen. Wiranto, Minister\/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung,
\nand Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid.<\/p>\n
Also present were Minister of Social Services Justika
\nSjarifudin Baharsjah, and Deputy Jakarta Governor for development
\naffairs Abdul Kahfi.<\/p>\n
Three days of rioting in Greater Jakarta, starting on May 12,
\nhelped trigger an explosion of pressure that forced president
\nSoeharto to resign last Thursday. Over 500 lives were lost.<\/p>\n
Approximately 5,000 buildings, including 4,204 shops and
\nshopping malls, 501 bank offices and 12 gas stations were
\ndamaged, burned or looted.<\/p>\n
Losses from the property sector alone were estimated to be in
\nthe region of Rp 2.5 trillion (US$250 million). Police arrested
\nmore than 1,000 alleged looters and rioters.<\/p>\n
West Jakarta Mayor Sutardjianto reported to the President that
\n65 people died in fires in a number of Glodok shopping malls, and
\n45 were seriously injured.<\/p>\n
Over 3,800 kiosks and a 150 room hotel were burned and looted
\nin the Chinatown area, at a cost of Rp 931 billion, Sutardjianto
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"We have lost all of our assets, and we hope that the
\ngovernment will help us to restart business from scratch,"
\nTaslim, a computer retailer, told Habibie.<\/p>\n
Taslim told Habibie that traders had encountered difficulties
\nin claiming damages from insurance companies. He said they were
\ntold payments would be made only if the government was able to
\ngive a comprehensive explanation of why the riots started.<\/p>\n
He said the traders would be happy if the government could
\nreduce their tax obligations so that they had more leeway to
\nstart business again.<\/p>\n
"I cannot and will not make any promises, I am not be able to
\ndo so, because once I have made a promise I will have to fulfill
\nit. One thing that I promise you is that I will take care of you
\nall," Habibie told the enthusiastic traders.<\/p>\n
From Glodok, Habibie and his entourage moved on to inspect the
\nfive-story Plaza Central shopping center in Klender, East
\nJakarta. The plaza was completely destroyed.<\/p>\n
Red Cross workers said they had found at least 198 bodies in
\nthe burned out building. Police said most had been trapped by
\nflames after allegedly looting the Yogya Department Store.<\/p>\n
Downpours forced Habibie to cancel his dialog with local
\ntraders there. He received a brief report from East Jakarta Mayor
\nSoedarsono on the situation.<\/p>\n
In Cempaka Putih Shopping Center, Central Jakarta, Habibie
\nconsoled shop owners who lost their properties in the riots, and
\nassured them that he would not leave them alone in their misery.<\/p>\n
"I fully understand your feelings as the victims of the
\nriots," Habibie said.<\/p>\n
Habibie promised them that he would chair a cabinet meeting
\nthis morning where he would order his ministers to find all
\npossible ways of assisting the victims.<\/p>\n
"The government will find a way for you to start again, step
\nby step," the president promised. (ind\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/habibie-visits-riot-hit-areas-promises-help-1447893297",
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