Soldiers sell kerosene

JAKARTA (JP): Soldiers in East Java have sold kerosene to the public to sooth widespread fears that the price will rise fourfold, an official said yesterday.

East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman said in the provincial capital Surabaya that the move was part of the Armed Forces' commitment to protecting the people.

"Soldiers selling kerosene only happens in Indonesia. This is evidence that the Armed Forces also guarantees that essential commodities are available to the public," he said as quoted by Antara.

Basofi made the remarks amid persistent rumors that the prices of basic commodities in East Java will skyrocket soon.

Local authorities are on alert for possible fresh rioting triggered by such rumors. On Monday, hundreds of people in Pasuruan went on the rampage after prices had risen dramatically.

Basofi called on people to be wary of such rumors and to refrain from using violence in responding to unconfirmed news.

He also called on the security authorities to act quickly when dealing with unrest so that it would not spread.

"However small a riot may be, it can get out of hand if it is not properly handled," he said. (aan)