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)