Report of deadly rice worries Bekasi

BEKASI: Residents of Kedung Waringin subdistrict in Bekasi regency are reportedly worried over a report that the area's subsidized rice has been poisoned, a chairman of a non- governmental organization said.

"They're very worried over the issue of poisoned rice that has been distributed to them," Bekasi Youngsters Committee (KAMBEK) Chairman Guntur Mulyana told the press here on Wednesday.

He said that KAMBEK had recently investigated the case and found the report to be misleading. "Our findings have reassured them," he said.

He added that many residents of Kedung Waringin were still consuming the subsidized rice and they were still feeling healthy.

According to him, the report must have been created by a certain group of irresponsible people.

Reports claim that people consuming the rice have complained of dizziness and vomiting after eating the subsidized rice.

But Hartiyah, 40, a resident of Kedung Waringin, admitted that her family had not been poisoned even though they had eaten the subsidized rice.

Aisyah, 25, another resident agreed with Hartiyah, saying that people should not be so easily influenced by the rumors.

Based on the rice for poor people program, the Bekasi administration sells cheap rice at Rp 1,000 per kilogram. --Antara