Habibie alerts public to divisive rumors
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie, denouncing irresponsible people bent on splintering the nation through spreading vicious rumors, has alerted the general public to be wary.
Although Habibie said yesterday people should not be easily incited by the rumors, he acknowledged many had been influenced by information obtained from the Internet or received from unclear sources without first verifying its accuracy.
Habibie said he had recently received several letters containing baseless reports, including one on the rape of 200 women of Chinese descent on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, during the riots in May.
"I have received letters claiming that about 200 Chinese- Indonesian women were forced to strip before being raped, allegedly by Moslem men," Habibie said during an hour-long meeting with 50 crude palm oil (CPO) producers at Bina Graha presidential office.
Nearly 1,200 people were killed during the riots and 160 women, mostly ethnic Chinese, were reportedly raped. The riots contributed to the downfall of Soeharto, who relinquished his 32- year presidency to Habibie.
Habibie has established a joint investigation team to investigate human rights abuses during the riots last month.
Reports of mass rape have sparked anger and protests from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.
According to AP, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Tang said in Hong Kong yesterday that his government had expressed concern about the violence against Chinese-Indonesian women.
But families of some of the people burned alive in shopping centers and buildings across Jakarta have complained their suffering is no less severe than the rape victims.
They argue their grievances have been ignored due to their poor economic position and lack of clout with the government.
The President has repeatedly assured that the government will extend equal treatment to all citizens regardless of race, religion or ethnic background.
Separately yesterday, Diponegoro Military Commander Maj. Gen. Tyasno Sudarto urged Central Java residents, particularly those of Chinese descent, to remain calm despite rampant rumors of a renewed outbreak of violence.
Tyasno described how irresponsible people had daubed red marks on homes of Chinese-Indonesians, reportedly to threaten the owners that they would be singled out as targets in new unrest.
Red marks have been painted on several homes in housing complexes in Tanah Mas, Gang Besar and Gang Warung in the city.
Rumors say the marked houses will be destroyed or looted and the women living there raped.
"Let us fight against the rumors together," Antara quoted Tyasno as saying in Semarang yesterday. (prb)