Rumors of a riot put Tangerang on edge

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)