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