ABRI cracks down on distributors hoarding supplies

JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said yesterday that his office would crack down on food distributors found hoarding supplies to sell them at a higher price later.

Speaking to reporters after installing the new commandant- general of the National Military Academy (Akabri), Feisal said hoarding the nine basic commodities -- rice, sugar, salt, salted fish, detergent, mori fabric, cooking oil, kerosene, and synthetic materials -- was against the law.

"We'll strike at any speculators who try to hoard their stocks," he said.

Feisal was referring to suggestions that some traders still had not opened their stores and were keeping stocks of basic commodities to gain a higher selling price at a later date.

National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo said those found intentionally hoarding food supplies could be charged with subversion.

"Keeping large stocks of the nine basic needs is subversion," Dibyo told reporters after attending the ceremony.

He said his office had assigned officers to monitor the supply of basic commodities at the markets and arrest any speculators.

But Dibyo acknowledged that the recent scarcity of some basic commodities at several markets was not caused by speculators stashing supplies but the panic buying which occurred last week.

"It was the people, who thronged the markets for their food supplies," Dibyo said.

He urged people not to panic, saying that food supplies were sufficient.

"I can guarantee that the supplies are there. And people should not panic and buy up the entire stock," he said.

Feisal installed Lt. Gen. Tamlicha Ali as the new Akabri commandant-general yesterday, replacing Lt. Gen. Muzani Syukur who was assigned a civilian post as the inspector-general of the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Tamlicha was promoted from a two- star general an hour earlier.

Also promoted yesterday were Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, an expert member of staff to the Armed Forces chief and Maj. Gen. A.Z. Siregar, also an expert member of staff to the Armed Forces chief. Tamlicha, Agus and Siregar were from the Army.

Included in the promotion were three Navy officials, Rear Adm. Reno Maurits Silitonga, Rear Adm. Mudjito and Commodore Indroko Sastro Wiryono, and two police officials, Maj. Gen. Ahwil Luthan and Brig. Gen. I Wayan Ardjana. (imn)