Sutiyoso abhors scandalous acts of mobs

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said yesterday he was ashamed and disappointed by actions of marauding mobs in vandalizing buildings and looting their contents.

"As a governor and people's leader, I am really ashamed that my people's behavior is like that... Such conduct does not show our personality," he said.

Sutiyoso said he could understand people pillaging foodstuffs due to hunger during the crisis, but there was no justification for looting of other goods.

"But seeing that they also looted other things like television sets or carpets make me sad and disappointed."

Sutiyoso also said the city administration suffered major financial losses as the mobs also damaged public facilities. He did not specify the amount of the loss.

"What is the relationship between damaging public facilities and reformation?"

Asked whether he would tour the city to inspect the damage, the governor said: "I wanted to, but people advised me not to because of the dangerous situation.

"I think I can also monitor the situation from my office."

Meanwhile, chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the ruling Golkar grouping, Tadjus Sobirin, also expressed his regret at the violent lootings.

"It shows there are some people who wanted to take advantages of the supposedly peaceful rallies as promoted by the students," he told reporters.

Tadjus urged residents to tighten their neighborhood security (siskamling) programs to prevent irresponsible people from attacking their residences.

When asked whether the widespread riots were proof the military forces had failed to fulfill their promise to secure the city, Tadjus said the issue was more complex.

He said it was not necessary for City Police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata and Jakarta military commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Syamsudin to resign because of the riots.

"I think people should instead help the two men's personnel to secure the city. Security is a very tough job," he said.

Most of those shops which were bypassed in the violence, which rocked the city since Wednesday after four students were shot dead the day before, were closed yesterday.

City buses, minibuses, minivans and taxis were scarce and most businesses and schools remained closed yesterday.

Curious onlookers surveyed the debris from days of devastation. People could be seen sifting through the rubble of burned or damaged buildings for anything salvageable.

Smoke still rose from charred buildings, and vehicle wrecks and debris littered streets in several parts of the capital.

The city's main thoroughfares were open although traffic was light. (cst/ind)