People buy up in fear of new riots

JAKARTA (JP): Many people rushed to several traditional markets and a handful of stores, which reopened Saturday following days of unrest, to buy as large quantity of food as possible in fear of further unrest in the capital.

Several said they did not really care about price increases because they really needed to stock up.

Housewife Marni, 50, of Bintaro, South Jakarta, said Saturday that price increases would not stop people from stockpiling food items.

"We need as many items as possible to prepare in case the unrest worsens and cannot be controlled and we have to stay home for a longer period," said the mother of two.

"I've learned my lesson. I don't want my family to be left stranded at home without food available in the refrigerator," she said. Marni's family survived last week's four days of tension on eggs, instant noodles and canned food.

She said she had to go to Gelael supermarket on Jl. Melawai in South Jakarta, because no supermarkets near her area were spared in the rioting and no vegetable vendors were working in her housing estate until Saturday afternoon.

Nia, 27, of Depok, who went to the Santa and Blok M traditional markets, both in South Jakarta, said the prices of many food items had increased.

For example, she said, the price of eggs had increased to Rp 6,000 per kilo from Rp 5,000 per kilo. Water spinach (kangkung) increased to Rp 1,500 a bunch from Rp 1,000, tomatoes Rp 4,500 per kilo from Rp 3,750 and red chili Rp 7,000 per kilo from previously Rp 6,150.

Nia said the vendors would not let customers bargain, even when they priced carrots at Rp 1,500 for three.

"There were only a few vendors who opened their stalls and not everything was available. The vegetables were no longer fresh," she said, adding that a nearby traditional market near her Depok home did not have much on offer.

"It was hard to find fresh meat or fish, especially on Friday. Even the chicken looked rather bluish, as if the chickens were shot dead or something," said Nia.

Newly wed housewife Linda, 27, of Rawamangun, East Jakarta, said she went to the market and bought canned food because she did not really believe the rioting was completely over just because the military vowed that it would impose harsh sanctions on rioters.

"I bought canned food because it can be stored for a quite a long period. So, if riots emerge again, I won't have to worry about running out of food," she said.

She went to the Rawamangun traditional market, which was spared in last week's riots, and bought canned sardines, canned corned beef and some fresh meat and vegetables on Saturday.

Linda said many customers also opted to buy less perishable goods, like eggs.

"Some bought eggs in a large amount. They bought one or two baskets full," she said.

Christy, a mother of one who lives in Cilandak, South Jakarta, said it was not difficult to find fresh food in her area because Pasar Mede market had not been attacked by rioters and had reopened Friday.

But more vendors waited until Saturday to open their stalls, she said.

"My maid went to the market today and told me that customers bought many things, as if they were preparing for Lebaran (Moslem holiday)," said Christy.

She said that like at many other markets, the prices of vegetables and spices had been raised. The price of shallots increased to Rp 10,000 per kilo from Rp 6,000 per kilo.

She added that there was less fresh meat and fish available at the market than poultry. (cst)