Pontianak antilooting task forces dissolved<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The leaders of Madurese and Dayak ethnic groups
\nin Pontianak, West Kalimantan, agreed on Friday to dissolve their
\nrespective antilooting task forces just a few days after their
\nestablishment because their presence had frightened people and
\nworsened the situation in the city recently hit by looting and
\nvandalism.<\/p>\n
Pontianak military commander Col. Erwin Sudjono said the two
\nteams had abandoned their main mission, which was to bring peace
\nand order to the city, because they were involved in violent
\nclashes themselves.<\/p>\n
\"Starting from this second, the antilooting teams are
\ndissolved,\" Erwin said, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Massive plundering of rice and other basic commodities and
\nvandalism occurred in Pontianak and nearby towns despite the
\nmilitary's threats.<\/p>\n
With Erwin's personal approval, hundreds of indigenous Dayak
\npeople set up their task force on Monday. Armed with their mandau
\nswords they toured the city and threatened to punish any looters
\nin their own way, saying looters had made people suffer.<\/p>\n
One day later their traditional rivals, the migrants from the
\nEast Java island of Madura, marched through the city and
\nfrightened people with their clurit sickles.<\/p>\n
The two groups nearly clashed on Thursday when they
\naccidentally met at Kapuas Besar market where hundreds of
\nhousewives had gathered to buy cheap rice from a big warehouse
\nowned by a man called Chandra.<\/p>\n
Chandra called the Dayak group because he could no longer
\ncontrol the buyers. The self-appointed law enforcers then forced
\npeople to disperse, arguing that only disciplined buyers were
\nentitled to rice.<\/p>\n
The Madurese group could not accept the harsh treatment since
\nmany of the buyers were Madurese women.<\/p>\n
\"Many people had to jump into nearby river to avoid the
\nchaos,\" said a military officer.<\/p>\n
The two ethnic groups have often been involved in violent
\nclashes. In January last year, at least four people were killed
\nand 21 remain missing following brawls in Sanggau Ledo.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, hundreds of Pinrang residents in Parepare, South
\nSulawesi, have fled to nearby towns after strong rumors spread
\nthat a fresh riot would occur in the rice-rich regency.<\/p>\n
Buana Sawito Jaya, a credit cooperative, is scheduled to repay
\nits members' money on Monday and police have predicted that
\nhundreds of its members will run amok if it fails to fulfill its
\nobligations.<\/p>\n
The cooperative succeeded to woo depositors as it promised
\nhigh interest and profit-sharing.<\/p>\n
\"We hope nothing will happen on Monday,\" Parepare regent
\nSyamsul Alam Bulu said Friday.<\/p>\n
In the Central Java town of Banyumas it was reported that 200
\npeople looting teakwood in the Jati Mentasan forest clashed on
\nThursday night with security forces. Two security men, Warno and
\nWidi, were seriously injured after looters beat them up.<\/p>\n
The looters also took a forestry official hostage because he
\nfailed to meet their demand to arrange another meeting with
\nanother official hated by the villagers. They then stoned and
\ndamaged the second official's house.<\/p>\n
Haryono Kusuma, the official in charge of forestry area in
\nWest Banyumas, confirmed the looting and said it was the worst
\nsuch case so far. \"This is a serious crime, looting plus assault
\nand taking a person hostage,\" he said. (prb\/45)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pontianak-antilooting-task-forces-dissolved-1447893297",
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