Angry workers beat Australian to death

Angry workers beat Australian to death

JAKARTA (JP): Aquiles Galardo, an Australian citizen employed
by a local company owned by business tycoon Aburizal Bakrie, was
beaten to death by irate workers on Monday.

The 40-year old expatriate was attacked by hundreds of workers
of the Trans-Bakrie company in Sumuranja, Serang, West Java,
following a quarrel between him and several others.

Company spokesman Lalu Mara Satria Wangsa said in a release
yesterday that Galardo, who was a yard superintendent in the
company, died at the Honoris Hospital.

"He died in an accident which was caused by the anger of the
workers and local residents," Wangsa said. "The workers were
angry because Aquiles Galardo hit the company's security guard."

"It was a personal problem between him and the workers,"
Wangsa said. "The management has reported the case to the
authorities."

Trans-Bakrie is a joint venture between Bakrie & Brother group
of companies which owns 51 percent of its shares, with Transfield
Australia.

The daily Merdeka reported that Galardo was known for his bad
temper and often quarreled with workers under his supervision. He
had reportedly been involved in a number of fights previously.

The daily also reported that the mob of angry workers also
beat an employee, Wiwin, and two of the company's security
guards, Agus and Rafei, who tried to prevent them from attacking
Galardo. (31)