Habibie visits riot-hit areas, promises help

Habibie visits riot-hit areas, promises help

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie toured several Jakarta
shopping centers which were damaged during rioting and looting
earlier this month, and expressed his sadness over the unrest
that has caused so much suffering.

He told Chinatown traders in Glodok, West Jakarta, that the
government would help them in all possible ways.

He also convinced traders of Chinese descent -- who were the
target of most rioters -- of the government's intent to provide
equal treatment for all, and that the government was obliged to
protect all citizens, regardless of their ethnic background.

"We are all Indonesian citizens and in Indonesia we do not
allow (discrimination because of) differences in ethnic origin,
religion or race. It will not be tolerated. Therefore we do not
need to worry about this," Habibie told the traders during a
dialog.

During the visit Habibie was accompanied by his wife Hasri
Ainun Besari, Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces
Commander Gen. Wiranto, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung,
and Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid.

Also present were Minister of Social Services Justika
Sjarifudin Baharsjah, and Deputy Jakarta Governor for development
affairs Abdul Kahfi.

Three days of rioting in Greater Jakarta, starting on May 12,
helped trigger an explosion of pressure that forced president
Soeharto to resign last Thursday. Over 500 lives were lost.

Approximately 5,000 buildings, including 4,204 shops and
shopping malls, 501 bank offices and 12 gas stations were
damaged, burned or looted.

Losses from the property sector alone were estimated to be in
the region of Rp 2.5 trillion (US$250 million). Police arrested
more than 1,000 alleged looters and rioters.

West Jakarta Mayor Sutardjianto reported to the President that
65 people died in fires in a number of Glodok shopping malls, and
45 were seriously injured.

Over 3,800 kiosks and a 150 room hotel were burned and looted
in the Chinatown area, at a cost of Rp 931 billion, Sutardjianto
said.

"We have lost all of our assets, and we hope that the
government will help us to restart business from scratch,"
Taslim, a computer retailer, told Habibie.

Taslim told Habibie that traders had encountered difficulties
in claiming damages from insurance companies. He said they were
told payments would be made only if the government was able to
give a comprehensive explanation of why the riots started.

He said the traders would be happy if the government could
reduce their tax obligations so that they had more leeway to
start business again.

"I cannot and will not make any promises, I am not be able to
do so, because once I have made a promise I will have to fulfill
it. One thing that I promise you is that I will take care of you
all," Habibie told the enthusiastic traders.

From Glodok, Habibie and his entourage moved on to inspect the
five-story Plaza Central shopping center in Klender, East
Jakarta. The plaza was completely destroyed.

Red Cross workers said they had found at least 198 bodies in
the burned out building. Police said most had been trapped by
flames after allegedly looting the Yogya Department Store.

Downpours forced Habibie to cancel his dialog with local
traders there. He received a brief report from East Jakarta Mayor
Soedarsono on the situation.

In Cempaka Putih Shopping Center, Central Jakarta, Habibie
consoled shop owners who lost their properties in the riots, and
assured them that he would not leave them alone in their misery.

"I fully understand your feelings as the victims of the
riots," Habibie said.

Habibie promised them that he would chair a cabinet meeting
this morning where he would order his ministers to find all
possible ways of assisting the victims.

"The government will find a way for you to start again, step
by step," the president promised. (ind/prb)