Ujungpandang under control

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Security authorities were in control over this riot-torn city although the situation remained tense with sporadic disruptions yesterday following Monday night's outbreak of violence.

Thousands of troops and police were seen standing on alert along the streets throughout the day.

Business centers and schools remained closed as shock and fear overwhelmed most parts of the city.

Thousands rioted on Monday night and Tuesday following the murder of a 9-year-old girl identified as Anni Mujahidah Rasulullah by an ethnic Chinese youth identified as Benny, who was later declared to be mentally ill.

Benny was also killed in retaliation by a mob.

Many residents placed placards and wooden planks in front of their homes and shops yesterday saying they were Moslems or indigenous people. Others displayed either their praying mats (sajadah) or clothes to notify they were Moslems.

A small number of drivers who had the courage to drive through town were also seen showing sajadah through their car windows.

Fire continued to raze shops on Jl. Irian, Jl. Urip Sumohardjo and Jl. Nusantara yesterday afternoon. Witnesses said some shops were often left burning as fire departments ran out of water to extinguish the fires.

Masses of people shrugged off tight security measures around Karebosi soccer field trying to force themselves to the ethnic Chinese district.

But the security forces managed to keep them at bay.

Separately, angry students of the Alaudin state-run Islamic Institute launched a demonstration at their campus yesterday. Witnesses said security forces opened fire after the mob began to burn rubber stacks.

Chief of the provincial police Brig. Gen. Ali Hanafiah told a press conference later on the day that eight people were wounded in the incident. Hanafiah said they included a fireman who was shot by accident as he was extinguishing the fire.

There were no reports of casualties.

Hanafiah said yesterday that as of Tuesday, eight night clubs, a Buddhist temple, a Protestant church, 25 shops, 10 cars and 58 motorcycles were burned.

Another 67 cars, 100 motorcycles and 1,471 shops were damaged, he added.

Death toll

According to Ali, the death toll in the riot aftermath increased to six when the remains of two women at a razed pub on Jl. Nusantara were found yesterday.

Hanafiah said as of yesterday over 200 people had been questioned, but 70 of them have been released. Most of them were detained for their alleged role in the riots and looting.

"Those who are found guilty will face legal procedures," Hanafiah said.

Hanafiah made his statement yesterday during a press briefing which was also attended by Governor Zainal Basri Palaguna, Chief of Wirabuana Military Command Maj. Gen. Agum Gumelar, Ujungpandang Mayor Malik Masry, chief of the Fourth Naval Base Rear Adm. Hary Mulyo and chief of the Second Air Base Operational Command Rear Marshal Suparno Muanan, at the provincial police headquarters.

Agum said security authorities in self defense shot two rioters on Tuesday. The two men suffered injuries to their feet.

Hanafiah said some 300 ethnic Chinese had sought refuge at Ujungpandang Police Headquarters following Tuesday's riots.

By yesterday evening only 80 remained there.

Agum had warned on Tuesday that security forces would establish a curfew if riots did not cease.

"But we prefer persuasive measures first, because we know the masses will not act brutally," he said.

Meanwhile, mourners continued to pour into the house of Anni's father, Jubaedi Saleh, yesterday. Anni, the only daughter of Jubaedi and his wife Noer Huda Noor, had just celebrated her ninth birthday Friday. The body of Anni was buried on Tuesday.

Jubaedi, who heads a foundation that manages a local Islamic school, said his wife gave birth to Anni in a caesarean section. (30/31/37/amd)

Editorial -- Page 4