Another killed in Ambon violence
AMBON, Maluku: At least one person was found dead on Monday in the strife-torn city of Ambon, Maluku, after several land mine explosions there injured six others, including three soldiers.
Piter Joseph, the dead victim, who was mute, sustained several stab wounds to his body. He had been declared missing on Sunday night after being abducted by armed men.
The six injured civilians and troops are receiving medical treatment at separate hospitals in Ambon. They were wounded as three land mines blew up on Sunday night in the forest near Galala village, Sirimau subdistrict.
Two of the three injured soldiers may have to have limbs amputated because their bones were severely broken, according to local military officer Maj. Herry Suhardi.
Earlier on Saturday night, a bomb hoax forced hundreds off a ferry, which docked at Gudang Arang port, Benteng village, Ambon. The passengers await evacuation.
The bomb scare followed the arrest of suspect Ricky Solisa, who claimed to have planted a bomb inside the ship. However, no explosive device was discovered. --JP
Rumors spread of fish in formalin
MEDAN, North Sumatra: People in the North Sumatra capital of Medan were so shocked by rumors that fish was being preserved in embalming fluid in the local market, that many customers avoided buying the product.
As a result, some 300 fishermen suffered losses because local buyers rejected the fish they had landed.
Chairman of the local chapter of the Indonesian Fishermen's Association (HNSI) Nurdin Harahap said that fish sales dropped after the local office of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said that fresh fish, including sardines and tuna sold at traditional markets in Medan, were feared to contain formalin, a substance normally used to preserve dead bodies.
"There is no evidence that the fish sold in the traditional markets, such as Simpang Limun, Sukaramai, Kampung Baru and Pulo Brayan, contains formalin. The statement has destroyed the economy of the fishermen, especially those from Pantai Labu in Deli Serdang regency," he said.
Nurdin said that HNSI branch in Deli Serdang and fish traders would sue the official who had made the statement to the court and would demand Rp 1 trillion in compensation for the loss.
The price of fresh fish, which is usually Rp 7,000 per kilogram, has now dropped to Rp 3,500 per kilogram. The amount of fish sold has dropped to 500 kilograms per day from one ton previously. --Antara
Rice handouts in Belu in doubt
Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara: The local social affairs office in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara said on Monday that there was no clear information as to whether East Timorese refugees in Belu would get rice assistance from the government after all camps in the province had been vacated on Sept.1, 2002.
"The refugees in Kupang have received rice aid since last Thursday. But we don't know yet about the rice for a great deal of refugees in Belu," he said.
Refugees in Kupang have received 58 tons of rice from the provincial social affairs office since last Thursday.
"We have yet to receive information about the rice for refugees in Belu. All we know is that refugees in Kupang have received rice handouts," Joachim Lopez, secretary of Belu regency said. --Antara