Arrest of looters called for

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso on Friday called for the immediate arrest of all those suspected of looting and burning buildings, public facilities and vehicles in last week's mayhem.

According to the governor, the police, for example, should have no difficulty tracing the suspected looters and other criminals as their faces would be easily identifiable from the television footage and photos printed in many publications.

"It's about law enforcement and I think it's not a very difficult task for the police," Sutiyoso told the media.

He, however, did not suggest the arrest of the police and military personnel who beat and shot protesters during the Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 clashes.

Like the looters, the identities of the out-of-control Armed Forces (ABRI) members could also be easily tracked down through the pictures shot by the many photo journalists and television cameramen at the time.

At least 15 people died and hundreds of others were injured during the bloody clashes.

The Jakarta Police last week announced the arrest of 57 people suspecting of looting shops and robbing bystanders during Saturday's mayhem, during which scores of shops, buildings and cars were burned and looted.

The suspects were busted on the spot at several locations in the capital.

Sutiyoso also wanted the police to prosecute all the suspects as soon as possible.

"I hope that the police will speed up the legal process of all the arrested suspects to show that the authorities are serious about dealing with the matter.

"Such a serious process could become a good lesson for other people so they no longer want to commit such evil deeds," the governor said.

The last week's upheavals cost the city some Rp 16.46 billion (US$2.2 million) in financial losses.

The tally accounts for the damage, burning and looting of 123 city-owned and private properties (Rp 14.57 billion) 165 public facilities (Rp 878.63 million) and 70 vehicles (Rp 1 billion).

Sutiyoso said there was a public perception that the city authorities were not serious about punishing looters.

That's why so many people dare to joyfully indulge in looting during the many chaotic incidents here, he said.

"If such a situation cannot be stopped, all of us will be affected. For instance, no foreign businesspeople will dare to invest their capital here," he said. (ind)