Rights commission probes riots in West, Central Java

JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights has sent two teams to investigate the recent riots in West and Central Java which left a trail of extensive damage.

The commission's deputy chairman, Marzuki Darusman, told The Jakarta Post yesterday the two teams were dispatched last week.

"The teams will observe life there in the wake of the riots," Marzuki said, adding they would also investigate whether the military had perpetrated any human rights violations.

He did not say how long their trip would last.

The riots were started by people angered by the soaring prices of essential commodities. The rupiah has lost more than 70 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar since July, prompting an economic meltdown.

Rising prices have sparked rioting in more than 2O towns and cities across the country over the past month. At least five people have died and hundreds arrested. Scores of shops, mainly those owned by entrepreneurs of Chinese descent, and buildings -- including places of worship -- were destroyed or damaged.

In Central Java, major unrest hit Rembang and in West Java it rocked the northern towns of Losari, Cirebon, Jatiwangi and Pamanukan.

Marzuki also said the commission was still studying the case of the two non-governmental organization activists reported to have gone missing earlier this month.

"We are still trying to collect more complete information and investigations will begin as soon as we get it," Marzuki said.

Pius Lustrilanang, an activist of Siaga -- a loose association which supports self-styled presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri and government critic Amien Rais -- was last seen after visiting a relative at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Central Jakarta on Feb. 4, according to fellow activists.

Desmon J. Mahesa, the director of the Nusantara Legal Aid Foundation, was last seen on Feb. 3, a day after he was visited by military intelligence agents, according to his associates.

Activists have said they believe Pius and Desmon's disappearance is linked to their activities which were at odds with government policies.

"We have to verify that and a special team should be established (to investigate the matter)," another commission member and respected political scientist Miriam Budiardjo, said separately.

In Yogyakarta, the local Legal Aid Institute has established a task force to accommodate reports on the alleged upsurge of violence by military officers when dealing with unrest.

"It is regretful there were casualties during the recent riots. The authorities should be prudent in handling the social unrest, especially if people run riot because they are hungry," institute spokesman Budi Hartono said Monday.

The Armed Forces has vowed to take stern action against rioters over fears they may disrupt the preparations for and the smooth running of the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly next month.

Protests over the soaring prices of basic commodities continued yesterday when dozens of people staged a peaceful demonstration at the North Sumatra provincial legislative council in Medan.

The protesters said the price of rice had gone up from Rp 800 (8.5 U.S. cents) per kilogram to Rp 1,500, while cooking oil had risen from Rp 1,600 per liter to Rp 4,500.

They demanded the officials should do more to lower the prices of basic commodities. They also called on the State Logistics Agency to sell commodities directly to the public at prices lower than those in the market. (21/23/byg)