House members probing riots

SURABAYA: The House of Representatives and the National Commission on Human Rights are conducting separate investigations into violence in several East Java towns following the House's issuance of a motion of censure against President Abdurrahman Wahid over two weeks ago.

Led by House Deputy Speaker Andi Mapetahang Fatwa of the National Awakening Party (PKB), the 12-member House fact-finding team held talks with Governor Imam Utomo and the provincial police chief, Insp. Gen. Sutanto, on Wednesday.

The legislators, who represent all of the factions in the House, also gave the security authorities an endorsement for their handling of the violence.

Fatwa said the team would visit the violence-hit towns to speak with the people there and hear their aspirations for the future.

"We would like to ask them to be patient and avoid taking retaliation," he said.

The rights body is sending three of its members to East Java to look into possible human rights violations during the unrest, which left at least one man dead, scores injured and some public facilities damaged. (nur)