Rice sale descends into free-for-all

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)