Rumors of a riot put Tangerang on edge

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of stores and supermarkets in this town on the capital's outskirts closed in the early morning yesterday after the area was rocked by rumors of a massive riot.

The gossip also prompted residents to abruptly leave the streets and stay at home or in their offices.

The authorities' announcement that the rumors were totally baseless apparently failed to persuade the store owners, most of whom are ethnic Chinese, to reopen.

By the late afternoon, a few stores carefully started trading again, but only after the authorities deployed police and military personnel onto the streets.

The refusal of most of the businessmen to obey the authorities' wish was fully understandable, Tangerang police chief, Lt. Col. Aryanto Boedihardjo, told reporters.

"It's understandable that the store owners chose to suspend their activities in an attempt to avoid being victims (if there had been a riot)," he said.

According to Aryanto and Tangerang Military District commander Lt. Col. Herman Rozanie, the groundless rumors were spread and orchestrated by irresponsible people.

Neither officer would clarify his remarks.

According to the traders, the rumors of a possible massive riot started circulating at 8:30 a.m. Owners of shops and supermarkets, particularly those on Jl. Kisamaun, Jl. Kiasnawi, Jl. Pasar Anyer, Jl. Daan Mogot, Jl. Gatot Soebroto and Jl. Moch. Toha, promptly closed.

"I guarantee you that the information was untrue. So, please reopen the stores and conduct business as usual," Herman told the traders.

The rumors had it that a group of people led by local resident Edi Sulaiman would hold a demonstration after Friday prayers to protest the soaring prices of many essential foodstuffs.

Edi is known to have led several anti-nightspot demonstrations.

The rumors said the demonstrators would destroy houses, stores and public facilities.

Speaking to reporters later, Edi strongly rejected the allegation, saying that he never made such a plan.

He said he -- along with four of his friends -- were shopping at a local food bazaar when the rumors spread.

Unlike the store owners, a group of street food vendors continued trading.

Karno, who sells instant noodles, said he did not want to be affected by the rumors. "If I bought the gossip and did not run my business, then how could I cover my family's needs," he said. (41/cst)