Ethnic riot hits Pekalongan

PEKALONGAN, Central Java: Tension gripped this coastal town on Wednesday after a group of people attacked and looted shops belonging to Chinese-Indonesians.

The early morning commotion was stirred by the death of a pedicab driver, Diyono, allegedly beaten by an ethnic Chinese man identified as Yong Bie.

Police told Antara that Diyono was killed following a dispute with Yong, who refused the pedicab driver's demand for an additional Rp 5,000. Diyono, who was drunk, fell and received a head injury. He died during treatment at a private hospital.

News of the death aroused anger among pedicab drivers who then ransacked Yong's shop and others nearby.

Dozens of Mobile Police Brigade and military personnel were deployed to quell the unrest.

Pekalongan Police chief Col. Taufik Ridha expressed regret over the incident during a meeting with the pedicab drivers later in the day.

Police arrested Yong and questioned five witnesses following the unrest. (har/amd)