ABRI cracks down on distributors hoarding supplies

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)