Many Chinese-Indonesians still afraid to go home
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)