Marines compensate Surabaya locals

JAKARTA (JP): About 100 marines, assisted by locals, repaired over the weekend nine houses in Tembok Lor III neighborhood in Surabaya, East Java, which they damaged in a brawl last week.

"All public facilities damaged by the marines have been repaired, costing (the Navy) Rp 10 million (approximately US$714)," according to Maj. Ibrahim Sadong, the marine's spokesman, as quoted by Antara yesterday.

"The repair work was conducted by about 100 marines helped by local residents," he said further.

The news agency did not elaborate about the brawl, but said a "misunderstanding" had occurred in the early morning of July 13, followed by an assault on two marines by locals.

A truckload of marines then came and attacked the neighborhood. Resident Djasman was injured on the head; in addition to the nine houses damaged in the assault, five cars and eight motorcycles were also wrecked.

The marine corps has expressed its regret and called for better relations with locals. On Sunday, the corps sent 300 packages containing five kilograms of rice each and provided locals with free medical services. (26/swe)