East Java towns hit by riots after sudden price hike

SURABAYA (JP): Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan confirmed yesterday that riots had broken out in several East Java towns Tuesday as a result of the sudden price hike and the portioning of several basic commodities.

"Some stores sold rice more expensive than the price established by the City Logistic Agency," he told The Jakarta Post yesterday. "There was also a limit to the amount of goods they might purchase."

Wahab said people should have understood that the limitation was aimed at preventing people from hoarding food supplies.

Hundreds of people living in the outskirts of Jember, 198 kilometers southeast of the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya, ran amok and destroyed stores, kiosks and supermarkets, which sold basic commodities, Tuesday evening.

At least 15 shops were destroyed by rioters, who went on the rampage in search of basic commodities.

They ransacked the stores, often throwing the merchandise into the streets.

They dispersed only after riot police and officers from the police special force Brimob and the Army's Strategic Reserves Command arrived at the scene.

Ten rioters were caught by security officers pelting stones at stores. They were later taken to the Jember district police station for questioning.

Similar disturbances hit Kalibaru subdistrict in Banyuwangi, 289 kilometers east of Surabaya Tuesday afternoon.

Hundreds of people took to the streets and forced local shop owners to sell their rice, cooking oil and sugar at cheap prices.

Unrest also hit Pasuruan, 90 kilometers east of Surabaya.

The rioters, also demanding local stores sell their basic commodities at cheap prices, threw stones at the stores.

East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman alleged that the riots in the three cities were provoked by those with past communist links.

"The riots were engineered by people who have past links with the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI)," Basofi said as quoted by Antara yesterday.

"The price hike was used as a justification to commit violence and destruction," he told reporters.

He said people should remain vigilant against any provocation aimed at creating disorder and encouraging violence.

In anticipation of the spread of riots to Surabaya, hundreds of security officials were stationed at strategic places in the city, including shopping centers, government offices and along the city's main roads.

Panic buying gripped Jakarta Thursday, as people flocked to local markets and supermarkets to stock up on basic commodities. But while the panic has subsided and the government has ensured that basic commodities remain sufficient, public concern still remains. (nur/imn)