Hundreds protest at governor's office

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Hundreds of protesters flocked to Governor Rizal Nurdin's office here on Thursday, to lodge complaints about two separate issues.

Mandailing Natal people grouped in the Forum Reform of Community and Students demanded the provincial administration suspend the operations of two companies collecting swallow nests in Muara Batang Gadis district.

The group alleged the company owners of corruption, collusion and nepotism. They also claimed suspected tax fraud abuse, costing the local administration Rp 88 billion (US$10.2 million) since the 1993/1994 fiscal year.

The other group comprised workers of a plywood company. The workers asked the governor to intervene in their dispute with the company which refused to pay leave allowance and planned to dismiss nine of their colleagues.

None of the groups managed to meet with Rizal. (21)