Many Chinese-Indonesians still afraid to go home

JAKARTA (JP): Despite the military's assurance that the city is safe, hundreds of Chinese-Indonesians traumatized by last week's riots were still too scared to leave their refuges in the Thousand Islands and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

In the Thousand Islands, the people have holed up in 10 motels in the sprawling islets north of here since last Thursday when mobs went on a wanton rampage in Jakarta, looting and burning over 5,000 shops and malls, mostly belonging to residents of Chinese descent.

Djafar Tirtosentono, chief of the Association of Seribu Islands Tourism Association, said most came from North Jakarta's posh housing complexes in Pluit, Muarakarang and Kapuk, where looting was reportedly rampant.

"Some of them came here on their private boats," he told The Jakarta Post. "They chose to come here because it was cheaper and faster than to flee to other countries."

The unexpected surge of visitors has prompted motel owners to charge up to Rp 400,000 (US$33) a day for each room.

"Usually, people come here only at weekends and holidays. On other days, motels are practically empty," Djafar said.

Meanwhile, Antara reported that scores of Chinese-Indonesians remained at the capital's main airport yesterday, although the number was decreasing.

They occupied different sites, mostly near public facilities such as toilets and parking lots.

"Just two days ago, our number reached hundreds but many have returned home," said Tekong Setiawan Hadi, 45, a father of three who lost his electronic shop in Glodok, the city's Chinatown.

He said he feared a mob would come and loot his house in Pluit, North Jakarta, if he went home now when he was unsure security had prevailed as the military claimed.

A similar reason was voiced by Santoso Halim, 34, a father of two from Tomang, West Jakarta, who had his shop looted and burned down on Thursday, the worst day of the rioting.

Airport officials have begun to complain that their presence is disturbing activities at the airport and the number of people creates a hygiene problem.

Tangerang police chief Lt. Col. Aryanto Boedihardjo appealed to the people to go home because Jakarta was safe.

He assured them that military authorities were ready to escort them home and keep an eye on their residence if they felt threatened.

"It's our duty to protect citizens," Tangerang military district chief Lt. Col. Meris Wiryadi said. (ind/pan)