Regents, mayors told to punish speculators

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Governor Piet A. Tallo urged regents and mayors in the province to take stern measures against speculators who have been accused of hoarding basic necessities and fuel, causing shortages of those items.

The shortage of fuel and basic necessities has been going on for two weeks, causing prices to soar.

The governor also demanded that security personnel clamp down on seaports and other distribution centers where goods and fuel are unloaded, to minimize the potential stockpiling of goods. -- JP