Military donates rice, sugar, money to fire victims

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman yesterday donated four tons of rice, a ton of sugar and Rp 10 million in cash to fire victims in Kartini subdistrict, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta.

"The will to contribute this came from deep in my heart. This is a spontaneous act.

"Insya Allah (God willing), other people will follow my lead," he said after symbolically handing over the aid to the subdistrict head.

The families of 3,782 people in Kartini were left homeless after a huge fire gutted their houses on Saturday afternoon.

Djadja suggested that the money he contributed be used to buy shoes and uniforms for 400 children to enable them to go to school again.

"I have toured the area and was informed that about 400 children are no longer able to go to school because their uniforms and shoes were burned.

"This money could be used to buy new shoes and uniforms so they can go back to school again tomorrow," the two-star general said.

Djadja commended Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah for guaranteeing that the residents would be allowed to rebuild their houses.

"I'm glad that the mayor has said they will be allowed to rebuild their houses. I've talked to him (Andi) about providing the residents with wood and corrugated iron sheets for roofing," he said.

Mayor Andi had earlier said the residents could rebuild their houses, but added that the local authorities would not be able to provide any financial help because of the monetary crisis.

Kartini subdistrict head Nursanto said in a report that 363 houses built on 3.7 hectares of land along Jl. Kartini IX Dalam had been razed by the fire.

The fire started at 4:20 p.m. and was brought under control by firemen assisted by local residents about six hours later.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

After receiving a report from the subdistrict head, Djadja walked around the devastated area and talked to residents who were using the remains of their homes as temporary shelters.

The city military commander repeatedly asked local children and their parents: "Do you go to school?", "Do you work?" and "How long have you been living in this area?"

Outside the wreckage of a house owned by Cani, a 37-year-old construction worker, Djadja asked: "Do you plan to rebuild your house?"

"Yes," Cani replied immediately, "but I'll not be able to start for a while because I haven't got enough money."

"Just be tough. This is a tragedy. You will have to go step by step," Djadja said, peering into Cani's canvas shelter.

During the visit, Djadja reiterated that Jakartans should not believe rumors of renewed rioting, which he claimed were without foundation.

"Rumors can be started (by anybody)," he said.

When asked to comment on the massive number of Jakartans, mostly Chinese-Indonesians, who temporarily left the capital ahead of Monday's independence day celebrations, Djadja commented:

"We have to ascertain whether they left the city in fear of more unrest or just to enjoy a long weekend away."

"I have noticed that some simply went on vacation and returned home today," he continued.

"The most important thing to do is to think positively when you here rumors," he added. (ivy)