Wealthy Chinese donate goods as fresh riot erupts

Wealthy Chinese donate goods as fresh riot erupts

SURABAYA (JP): Scores of Chinese Indonesian entrepreneurs, who
have been regular targets of recent violent protests over soaring
prices, donated essential commodities and money to the needy here
yesterday.

Their action follows weeks of threats aimed at wealthy
citizens of Chinese origin whom many people believe should be
held responsible for the current crisis.

Meanwhile, fresh rioting broke out in the Southeast Sulawesi
capital of Kendari yesterday during which dozens of shops and
private offices were pelted with stones.

Sponsored by East Java Governor Basofi Sudirman and Surabaya
Mayor Sunarto Sumoprawiro, the entrepreneurs' charity was aimed
at demonstrating wealthy people's solidarity with their
countrymen who have borne the brunt of the worsening economic
crisis.

Five hundred and ninety boxes of instant noodles, 16.5 tons of
sugar, 1,026 tons of rice, 8,500 liters of kerosene, 85 grams of
gold and Rp 154 million in cash were handed over.

The donation would be given to 960 poor families across East
Java, Basofi said.

Among the donors were Bintoro Tanjung of Gudang Garam, Herman
Djauhar of Bogasari, Alim Markus of Maspion Group, Henry Gunawan
of Surya Inti Group, Bambang Suyanto of Kedaung Setia Group and
Teguh Kinarto of Podo Djojo Makmur Group

"We live and make money in Indonesia and therefore there is no
reason why we should refuse social activity like this," said Alim
Markus, the entrepreneurs' spokesman.

Basofi said he was pleased with the donation but denied he had
twisted the businessmen's arms for it.

Sacrifice

But Surabaya Mayor Sunarto said the rich needed to sacrifice
part of their wealth for the needy to minimize the threat of
violence in this time of crisis.

Since last month, security officers have been closely guarding
business districts, traditional markets and other public places
amid incessant rumors of imminent widespread unrest.

Prominent shopping malls Tunjungan Plaza and Jembatan Merah
Plaza and the Juanda International Airport have all been
targeted with bomb hoaxes.

Properties of Chinese Indonesians, who dominate the country's
business activities, have become the prime target of the
continuing food riots.

The Kendari riot involved more than 6,000 people and was
spearheaded by college students.

The unrest occurred during a march by thousands of students
from various state and private colleges around the city. It soon
turned violent after some students began throwing stones at shops
and private offices.

As they marched, hundreds of fishermen, pedicab drivers,
laborers and high school students joined in, Antara reported.

Several hundred police and soldiers managed to stop the mob
that marched in three groups toward the central business
district.

The report did not mention casualty figures or if anyone was
arrested.

Reports from the South Sulawesi capital of Ujungpandang
yesterday said the city was tense as bomb threats continued.

Over the past week, there have been four bomb threats. Bank
Danamon and Bank Central Asia were among those targeted.

In Ende, on Flores, police said the number of people arrested
in connection with the Feb. 8 food riot rose to 56 yesterday.

Spokesman for the East Nusa Tenggara police command Maj.
Sismantoro said the suspects would be taken to court on charges
of rioting.

In the riot, 21 shops were razed and another 71 badly damaged.
(nur/yac/37/pan)