Minister proposes financial aid for riot victims

JAKARTA (JP): A cabinet minister pledged yesterday to urge the government to extend assistance to relatives of those who died in fires during the three days of rioting in Greater Jakarta two weeks ago.

Minister of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Adi Sasono pointed out it was unfair that some officials had arbitrarily categorized all victims as looters without the necessary evidence.

"I think this is a very important issue as it is related to humanitarianism. I agree, that it was unfair when we branded all of them looters," Adi said after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at Bina Graha presidential office.

The three days of unrest, which started on May 12, claimed more than 500 lives. In Central Plaza shopping center in Klender, East Jakarta, at least 198 bodies were found in the burned out complex.

City officials and police labeled those who perished in the flames looters because they were inside the shops.

Human rights activists, however, said the officials' statements were not backed up with hard facts and insisted that the government conduct a thorough investigation to identify the real culprits behind the looting and burning.

"I think it is proper for the government to consider providing financial assistance (for the families of the victims)," Adi said.

Habibie chaired a special meeting yesterday to find possible ways to rebuild public infrastructure and help traders throughout the country resume their business activities.

This was a follow-up to the President's promise to traders in Jakarta's Chinatown of Glodok, West Jakarta and in Cempaka Putih shopping center, Central Jakarta, when he visited several sites damaged and looted during the riots.

Approximately 5,000 buildings, including 4,204 shops and shopping malls, 501 bank branches and 12 gas stations were damaged or burned in Jakarta. Losses from property alone were expected to reach more than Rp 2.5 trillion (US$250 million).

"When the buildings are abandoned just like that for years it seems that we are not effectively handling the impact of the disaster," Adi quoted Habibie as telling the ministers.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid, Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto, Minister of Social Services Justika Sjarifudin Baharsjah and State Minister of Promotion of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng.

Adi said the government would only finance the reconstruction of state properties.

However, he pointed out that the government would also help the private sector resume activities, especially small- and medium-scale traders and enterprises.

Habibie told Bambang to find ways to finance the restoration activities.

Adi also noted that the government would help the traders negotiate their damage claims with insurance companies.

Insurance firms were reluctant to meet their obligations, saying traders should provide evidence the riots were not politically motivated.

"The minister of finance has underlined that the riots do not have any connection to politics," Adi said. (prb)