'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)