Police urged to probe riots

SURAKARTA, Central Java: Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung urged the police on Thursday to thoroughly investigate the cause of unrest here last month, which cost the town Rp 15 billion in losses.

Riots broke out here and in some other towns across the country following Megawati Soekarnoputri's defeat on Oct. 20 in the presidential election.

"People who fell victim to the acts of anarchy could take revenge if the case is not resolved properly," said Akbar, who is also speaker at the House of Representatives.

Akbar made the call while attending the 56th anniversary celebrations of the coronation of Pakubuwono XII as sultan here.

Dozens of buildings and public facilities, including the mayoralty administration office, Golkar chapter office and a house belonging to the mother of People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais were torched and vandalized.

The Golkar chief in Surakarta, Yusuf Hidayat, said that due to the unrest party losses were estimated at Rp 500 million.

Staff from the mayoralty's office have been working in temporary shelters. Plans for reconstruction work on their office have not yet been announced. (44/edt)