Mobile post office attacked

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

Braving the heat and rain, thousands of destitute residents of 11 villages in Leuwiliang district, Bogor, had been gathering in the soccer field since dawn on Wednesday.

They didn't want to be late for the mobile post office that brings the cash assistance distributed by the central government to compensate for the recent fuel price rises.

But the van had not arrived at 10 a.m. as promised.

"I arrived here at 5 a.m.; we're already tired," said Acih, 38, resident of Puraseda village. The village is only 15 kilometers from the soccer field, which is located in front of the district administration office.

At least 19,000 people who hold Fuel Compensation Cards (KKB) patiently waited until they got their money, although a sudden heavy downpour temporarily dispersed them.

Dozens of people, mainly old women, fainted and had to be treated at the district administration office.

District head Dodi Ahmad Hidayat explained that there were some logistical problems at the Bogor post office that caused the delay.

"But we have arranged for 12 people to help distribute the money to expedite the process ... If the whole process can't be completed today, the cardholders can collect their money at the post office by themselves starting Thursday," he said.

At about 12:20 p.m., two mobile post offices brought a total of Rp 5.8 billion for 19,376 cardholders that were mobbed by the waiting residents.