Traders protest about security during riots<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of traders of Chinese descent who were
\nhit hard by the May 14 rioting went to the National Commission on
\nHuman Rights yesterday to complain about the lack of security
\nduring the unrest.<\/p>\n
Led by convict-turned-preacher Anton Medan, the traders from
\nMangga Dua, Glodok, Bekasi and Tangerang said thousands of shops
\nowned mostly by Chinese businesspeople were destroyed by rioters
\nbecause only a handful of security personnel were safeguarding
\nthem.<\/p>\n
\"We demand that security officers no longer extort money or
\ntake illegal levies from the Chinese traders,\" he said at the
\ncommission's office on Jl. Latuharhari in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He urged the government to consider the possibility of giving
\na clear-cut solution and helping traders resume their operating
\nas usual.<\/p>\n
He called on people not to blame Chinese traders as a whole
\nbecause a handful of wealthy Chinese businessmen had become
\ninvolved in improper business practices.<\/p>\n
The traders also wanted the nation to end discrimination in
\nall sectors of society and to open all professions to all
\ncitizens, Anton said.<\/p>\n
\"We work as traders because it is the only chance we have. We
\nalso want to be Armed Forces members and civil servants like
\nother citizens,\" Anton said.<\/p>\n
Calling themselves the Big Family of Indonesians of Chinese
\nDescent, the traders also expressed their support for total,
\npeaceful reform and the eradication of collusion, corruption and
\nnepotism, he said.<\/p>\n
The traders were received by commission members B.N. Marbun,
\nKoesparmono Irsan and Soegiri.<\/p>\n
Marbun said the commission shared the delegation's view that
\nthe security forces gave inadequate protection to the shops owned
\nby people of Chinese descent during the riots.<\/p>\n
\"We see that it is unfair. Why didn't they give greater
\nprotection to the Chinese traders?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
He said the commission would soon issue a statement calling on
\nthe nation to end discrimination against all races, especially
\nthose of Chinese descent.<\/p>\n
At least 11 people died when the Glodok electronics market in
\nWest Jakarta was burned. Hundreds of other damaged shops in the
\narea, which is known as the city's Chinatown, have yet to reopen.
\n(jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/traders-protest-about-security-during-riots-1447893297",
"image": ""
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