'No riots ahead of MPR meet'

'No riots ahead of MPR meet'

JAKARTA (JP): State Intelligence Coordinating Board chief
Moetojib assured people yesterday that no riots would occur prior
to November's Extraordinary Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR).

The public has no reason to worry about renewed unrest like
that which happened last May, Moetojib was quoted by Antara as
saying.

"Don't worry, we've been following every single movement every
day," said the retired three-star Army general.

"Hopefully, there will be no massive riots," he said.

According to an initial agreement between the Assembly and the
government, the extraordinary meeting had only one agenda: to set
a date for the next general election.

But many politicians have debated what exactly the meeting is
expected to accomplish.

Many people from all walks of life are still haunted by the
May 13 to May 15 riots, which claimed hundreds of lives and
caused losses totaling billions of rupiah.

Any rumor of riots could easily spark panic and fear among
Jakartans.

Widespread rumors of renewed riots hit the capital ahead of
the Aug. 17 anniversary of the country's independence.

Despite repeated assurances from security forces that the
rumors were totally baseless, a great number of armed personnel
were dispatched to many spots in and around the capital. (bsr)