Rice sale descends into free-for-all

TANGERANG (JP): A discounted rice sale for the poor in Laksana village here descended into looting on Saturday, with witnesses claiming it was ignited by rumors of officials' malfeasance.

Stories had circulated that subdistrict and district officials colluded with brokers in the sale of the rice to villagers in Pakuhaji district, a local youth leader said.

Harto said people became incensed because the price was higher than the government rate.

"Instead of being sold for Rp 1,000 per kilogram, the rice was sold for Rp 2,000."

He also alleged that allocations were much smaller than the promised 20 kilograms per family.

Angered by the allegations, the irate crowd began by vandalizing the subdistrict office, the site of the sale, and then pilfered the rice.

Village head H. Marjan denied corruption rumors sparked the free-for-all.

"The people vandalized the office and looted the rice because they were not patient enough to wait their turn," he said.

Marjan said the total quantity of rice to be distributed to 340 poor families in the village was 1.7 tons. Saturday's rice sale was the sixth since June.

At the previous sale, 3.4 tons was sold, up from former averages of two tons because more people were living below the poverty line, he said.

Marjan said he was about to buy more rice from a local miller because the quantity for the sale was inadequate.

Before he could procure the additional rice, the people went on the rampage, he added.

A similar incident also reportedly occurred at neighboring Kiara Payung village, where the quantity of rice sold to the local people was much smaller than in Laksana. However, complete details on the incident were unavailable.

Pakuhaji district head Ade Zaenal admitted there was vandalism of the two subdistrict offices. He said the acts were committed by people who did not want to pay.

"We can do nothing because their condition is so terrible," he added. (41/hhr)