Minister in hot water for condoning looting
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Agriculture A.M. Saefuddin was roundly panned yesterday over his reported remarks that looting could be tolerated in particular circumstances.
Though avoiding direct comment on Saefuddin, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung reiterated the government's stance that it would not tolerate looters for any reason and under any condition.
"Looting cannot be tolerated at all, it is a violation of laws," Akbar said before attending a presentation of three political bills, including on general elections, at the State Guest House.
Media Indonesia daily quoted Saefuddin as saying Monday that he could tolerate looters if they did it only to satisfy their hunger.
"I think, as long as they only loot 5 percent, it is still tolerable," the daily quoted him as saying.
The comment sparked anger from various groups yesterday, including his party boss, chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) Ismail Hasan Metareum.
"May be he was just kidding, but he must remember that he is already a minister," Ismail said.
Leaders of the National Committee of Indonesian Youths (KNPI) demanded Saefuddin's resignation, saying it would be dangerous to allow such a reckless minister to remain in office.
Saefuddin himself denied the report, claiming his remarks were taken out of context by the reporter.
"I never said it like that," he said.
It was the second looting-related issue to blow up in recent days.
At the weekend, several government officials were reportedly angered by an Antara news agency report that people looted cooking oil from a cooperative stand Saturday just after President B.J. Habibie opened a two-day cheap goods bazaar.
Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono subsequently denied the report. Adi said the stand owner decided to give the oil freely to the mass of buyers in order to prevent chaos.
The incident occurred only one day after Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto threatened stern measures against rampant looters.
"Even if we are in a critical condition, we must never tolerate crime," Wiranto said.
His stance was seconded by National Police Chief Lt. Col. Roesmanhadi, who threatened firm action against looters and also said an investigation was underway into several lootings.
"We have deployed our personnel in areas considered prone to looting," he said in a media briefing at his headquarters. "For instance, we have put certain high-ways around Jakarta down to Cilegon, Tangerang, Karawang and Bekasi under 24-hour surveillance to prevent freight robberies and cases such as shrimp stealing."
Golf
Meanwhile, residents of Lakarsantri village west of Surabaya entered their fifth day of occupation of the Ciputra Golf course, which they contend was originally their land until it appropriated wrongfully by the management, PT Citra Raya, in 1994.
The company said it bought the land from the residents for Rp 9,000 (less than US$1 at current rates) per square meter when the average market price was actually Rp 3,000. Residents are now demanding Rp 300,000 to Rp 700,000 per square meter.
Residents have begun planting trees, fishing in ponds and relaxing on the land.
In the West Java village of Cimacan, a two-hour drive from Jakarta, about 200 farmers raided a 33-hectare golf course they claimed was acquired by intimidation from them at Rp 30 per square meter 11 years ago.
They are demanding that PT Bandung Asri Mulya and the local administration which helped in its acquirement unconditionally relinquish the property.
Spearheaded by student activists, the farmers sneaked into he golf course through the adjacent hills Monday night to evade security forces who blocked the main entrance after learning of the protest plan.
They put up banners, dug up the soil, cut down trees and planted cassava and soybeans at the scenic Cibodas Golf Course. Armed with hoes and knives, they charged the government and military used intimidation in the 1987 land acquisition process.
At mid-day, dozens of women and children of the 287 families disputing the property joined the noisy protest under the watchful eyes of police officers in riot gear.
"We want this land relinquished. We won't negotiate on substitute land or additional compensation which the company may offer," said the farmers' spokesman Komar during a tense negotiation with local officials on the course.
Deputy Cianjur regent Dudung Soleh suggested the farmers should ask the Supreme Court to reopen the case if they were unhappy with its recent decision favoring the company.
The meeting ended abruptly when the farmers refused to listen to the officials. The villagers continued digging up the land as security forces did nothing to stop them. (24/26/pan/prb/swe/edt)