Rumors of trouble in Jakarta

Rumors of trouble in Jakarta

Jakartans are wondering and worrying if mass demonstrations
will really happen on Jan. 15 as widely speculated and rumored.

Some people, mainly ethnic Chinese and expatriates, have left
or are getting ready to leave the country. Flights to Singapore
for Jan. 14 and Jan. 15 are fully booked. Hotels in Singapore and
Batam are reportedly overbooked.

Domestic issues such as the Bulog and Brunei scandals, the
nomination of the Supreme Court chief justice and the resignation
of Ryaas Rasyid are not yet resolved. President Abdurrahman Wahid
and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri have agreed to call
upon the House of Representatives to find alternative candidates
for the chief justice post, while Ryaas Rasyid's fate is still
unresolved.

Y. LUCAS

Jakarta