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.