Tensions remain high in Jambi village

JAMBI, Jambi: Tensions were still high in a village in Merangin, Jambi, on Saturday four days after angry residents smashed up the local head office on Tuesday, alleging they were being cheated of their fuel compensation money.

The police presence was high in Rantaujering village in Lembahmasurai in anticipation of a further attack on the compound.

"We are still trying to solve the problem amicably," Lembahmasurai district head Hasan Bassi said on Saturday, adding that most of the residents were related to each other.

However, the vandals would be required to fix the damage or they would be taken to court, he said.

The attack erupted when angry residents complained they had not received the cash aid, which is being distributed to poor families by the government to ease the impact of the fuel price increases. Villagers allege many of the relatives of the village head, Jerjani, had received the full Rp 300,000 (US$30) assistance for three months.

Jerjani later decided to cut the cash aid down to Rp 100,000 a family, deducting Rp 20,000 for transportation costs and paying Rp 80,000 to others who he said were not otherwise eligible for the cash aid.

The decision upset the residents who went to the village office to meet Jerjani. He was not there and they smashed up the building. -- JP