86 spots declared prone to poll riots

JAKARTA (JP): Throughout the capital, 86 locations have been identified as being susceptible to violence related to the June 7 general election, an official from the city's social disturbance control center (Pusdalgangsos) said on Monday.

Raya Siahaan, head of Pusdalgangsos' data gathering division, said the figure had risen sharply from only 60 spots in January.

"The data on the riot-prone areas has been collected since March 24 in anticipation of the June 7 general election," Raya told reporters at City Hall.

"The riot-prone areas are believed to house people who could be financed to sabotage the June 7 election."

The current economic crisis, Raya said, had greatly reduced the standard of living in several subdistricts and substantially raised the numbers of the unemployed.

Raya urged city residents to stay at home in June if they had no urgent business, and not to walk alone on the streets.

"I am not saying something bad will happen. I just want this city to be prepared for anything," he said.

Data from the office revealed that in Central Jakarta the areas prone to rioting included Jl. Kramat Raya, Senen, Pasar Baru, Cikini, Cempaka Putih (Coca-Cola area), Jl. Salemba Raya.

In North Jakarta, the areas include Jl. Yos Sudarso, Kelapa Gading, Cilincing, Jl. RE Martadinata.

Areas in West Jakarta include Jl. Gadjah Mada, Glodok, Kota, Jl. Kyai Tapa Grogol, Roxy, Slipi-Palmerah, Tomang and Jl. Daan Mogot.

The areas in South Jakarta include Blok A, the Blok M bus terminal, Jl. Fatmawati, Tebet, Pasar Minggu, Kebayoran Lama, Jl. Ciledug Raya, Bulungan, Mayestik.

In East Jakarta, they include areas around the Indonesian Christian University (UKI), Rawamangun, Jl. DI Panjaitan, Jl. Otista-Dewi Sartika, the Jatinegara market. (ylt)