Protests damage local economy

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The closure of government and private company offices by demonstrators who sought the dismissal of the Sorong regent has incurred big losses for local companies.

Poerwandi, branch manager of PT Usaha Mina, a private fishery company, said on Wednesday that his company suffered Rp 200 million in financial losses due to the closure.

"The losses exclude the operational costs of seven unloaded ships which have been berthed at the port for days," he said in a report to the Jayapura based Institute for Human Rights and Advocacy (IGRSTAD).

Human resources development manager of PT Herikson Iriana, Edi Widayanto, said that the forestry company had lost at least Rp 5 billion in production expenses.

On Monday thousands of demonstrators urged that Sorong Regent John Piet Wanane resign soon. The angered protesters then urged the closure of 11 eleven government and private companies in the town. (eba)