Opportunists take advantage of flood disaster

Opportunists take advantage of flood disaster

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While many Jakartans have been suffering from the recent
flooding, there are many opportunists taking advantage of the
disaster throughout the city. Some have even had the nerve to
engage in criminal activity, creating more grief for flood
victims.

Owners of evacuated houses along the Ciliwung riverbank in
Cipinang Besar Utara subdistrict, East Jakarta, said Friday their
belongings, including television sets and electronic home
appliances, were stolen.

"Some residents, who have taken refuge since Sunday, found out
a few days later that their electronics were stolen from their
houses during the floods," said 50-year-old Kasiman, who is
taking refuge at the Prumpung public cemetery.

Kasiman, a widower, and his six children were forced to leave
their house as the flood had reached the roof. They had to set up
a temporary tent from a worn-out plastic tarpaulin at the
cemetery.

As of Friday, thousands of evacuees were still at mosques,
schools, public offices and public cemeteries.

A resident of Cipinang Indah in East Jakarta, complained that
unidentified people had stolen parts of her car which was left
inundated in her garage.

Other refugees opted to bring along their belongings such as
refrigerators, television sets, bicycles and motorcycles to their
temporary shelters.

However, others, who own two-story houses, have preferred to
stay despite fears that the floods could sweep away their
residences at anytime.

"I decided to stay at my house to ensure the safety of my
children and belongings," said Nurdin, who had been confined to
the second floor of his home for over five days.

Many victims from Kebon Manggis in East Jakarta, were seen
staying at their houses although strong water currents have
ruined nearby homes.

In addition to theft, exorbitant prices for helping victims,
or "highway robbery" was also a common occurrence in inundated
areas.

Rinto, who lives in Palmerah, West Jakarta, grumbled that he
had to pay Rp 50,000 (US$4.85) to travel on a makeshift raft made
by locals in the area.

Another resident -- who has been taking meals to her husband
who is staying at their inundated house -- claimed she had to pay
Rp 200,000 for a lift on a similar raft, while just a day earlier
she only paid Rp 100,000.

Reports said a number of desperate flood victims in Pluit,
North Jakarta, turned violent when they attempted to loot a truck
stuck in a submerged hole. But police managed to disperse them
with warning gunshots.

The evacuees' condition in several areas was miserable as food
supplies were very limited and, sometimes, distributed unfairly.
Hundreds of victims were also spotted on streets in flooded areas
requesting handouts from passersby.

In such a chaotic situation, many have asked what the police
are doing.

Police claimed they have deployed 7,000 personnel to flood
monitoring centers to prevent crimes.

"They will also help evacuate victims entrapped by floodwaters
in their homes," said City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton
Bachrul Alam.

He said police have also deployed some 400 officers to help
control traffic congestion in the capital.

But Anton brushed off reports that crimes had occurred in
flooded areas.

"What I found in the field was people helping to push stranded
cars or carrying belongings voluntarily," he claimed, after
visiting inundated areas in Muara Karang, Muara Baru, Kapuk and
Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta.

However, in the Bukit Duri subdistrict, South Jakarta, no
police officers were seen on the heavily inundated streets.
Instead, pak Ogah (unofficial traffic wardens) took over the job
and demanded money from motorists.