Sutiyoso saddened by the impact of rioting and looting

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso expressed concern on Friday over the recent series of looting and rioting incidents in the city which had caused three countries -- Japan, Australia and the U.S. -- to warn their citizens off visiting Jakarta.

Sutiyoso said that the decision taken by the three countries to urge their people not to visit Jakarta and several other cities constituted a great loss for the nation.

Such a decision would hit all economic sectors tremendously, particularly tourism and small-scale industries, the governor said.

"Japan, for example, is considered one of the great sources of foreign tourists to Indonesia," he said, adding that the decision would surely affect the small-scale industries, including the souvenir shops. "The shops' customers will drop substantially in number."

"However, this experience should serve as a warning for the Indonesian people that the consequences of looting and rioting could go beyond our nation so that we find other nations telling their people not to come here," Sutiyoso said.

City Council Speaker Edy Waluyo echoed Sutiyoso's remarks that the decision should teach the Indonesian people that they should not be overcome by emotions and neglect norms of law and humanity.

"I feel sorry for the poor people who become victims here...," Edy said.

Edy added that he believed that the rioting was instigated by provocateurs with political interests.

"The problem here is that too many people have political interests in big events like the People's Consultative Assembly's (MPR) Special Session early this month," Edy said.

The economic condition in the capital had actually returned to normal in stages following the massive mid-May rioting and looting when thousands of luxury buildings were set ablaze. The rioting, which claimed over 1,200 lives, led to the downfall of president Soeharto after 32 years in power.

A similar set of circumstances arose again during the closing of the four-day session on Nov. 13, when police and soldiers opened fire on demonstrating students. The incident was also followed by widespread looting in the city's business district on Nov. 14. The two days of rioting and looting caused at least 16 deaths.

Before the two incidents could be resolved, however, a third round of violence erupted on Nov. 22, when 22 churches and five Christian schools were burned or damaged. At least 14 people died in the latest incident.

Giving further comments on warning off other nationals from traveling to Indonesia, Sutiyoso criticized the decision as an overreaction by the three countries.

He said that foreigners should understand that the Jakarta administration was working closely with the military and police in safeguarding security in Jakarta.

"We are trying our best and to my knowledge no serious harm has befallen foreigners during the recent riots."

Head of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction of the City Council Lukman F. Mokoginta also commented that the decision taken by the three countries was intended for their citizens' safety.

"Our nation through its military and police personnel, therefore, has to be able to assure foreigners that they are safe on the streets here. This also means securing the relatively safe toll roads," Lukman said.

Lukman mentioned an incident on the toll road that took place on Nov. 22 when a man of Indian descent was robbed of money, gold and his shirt on his way to Bandung, West Java.

Armed Forces (ABRI) faction councilor Sumekar agreed with Lukman on the tightening of security measures in the city but also added that lack of education among the masses played a big role in causing riots.

"Not all Indonesians are intellectuals. A large part of them are lowly-paid workers and many come from villages and cities," Sumekar said.

Other people feel that since they have no job and no money they would rather get involved in riots than sitting at home with a headache, he said. (ylt)