Yogie calms down quake victims following riots
SUNGAIPENUH, Jambi (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. appealed to victims of last week's earthquake here to persevere and not be misled by unfounded rumors that could spark riots and other violence.
"The government is appealing to you to be patient and strengthen your trust in God. Don't be easily misled by rumors," Yogie said before attending Friday's prayers at the Baiturrahman, the main mosque in the city which was most devastated by Saturday's powerful earthquake.
His appeal came after the area was rocked by a riot and amid complaints about the pace of the relief operation.
Yogie is the latest government official to tour the quake- stricken Gunung Kerinci district to comfort the survivors and oversee the relief operation.
He visited Sebukara, one of the worst-hit villages in the Sitinjau Laut sub-district, and the Sungaipenuh general hospital where 140 seriously injured people were under intensive medical treatment.
He also gave the Kerinci administration Rp 50 million in aid.
During the tour, he was accompanied by Jambi Governor Abdurrahman Sayoeti, Chief of the Sriwijaya Military Command Maj. Gen. R. Karyono, the Jambi military district Col. Muchdi Purwo Pranjono and Kerinci Regent Chief Bambang Sukawinarno.
Yogie's appeal came after a riot on Wednesday in one of the quake-stricken villages that left one soldier and a civilian dead. Another soldier was severely injured.
The riot was reportedly started by a rumor that the two soldiers were molesting two high school girls that were hitching a ride in the military car. An angry mob went after the two soldiers, and, in the confusion, one of the soldiers opened fire and killed a villager.
Earlier on Wednesday, two journalists were attacked by a mob who were apparently angry at the media's failure to give equal coverage to all villages devastated by the quake. Some of the people blamed the unequal media coverage for the unequal distribution of relief aid between the villages.
Several other rumors have prompted panic among the grieving people, such as one about an impending eruption of Mt. Kerinci, and another about the escape of inmates from a nearby jail.
Maj. Gen. Karyono said some irresponsible parties had been fanning the tension in the area in order to discredit the government.
"Everyone should remain cautious towards the rising anti- government movement and enhance their sense of solidarity, especially in such a difficult situation," Karyono said.
The administration said a 16-year-old girl died yesterday after undergoing six days of treatment at the Jambi general hospital. With her death, the quake's death toll reached 81.
At least 735 people were still in intensive care yesterday at hospitals in Sungaipenuh, Jambi and Padang.
Meanwhile, officials in Jambi said all relief aid sent to the town were being dispatched immediately to Gunung Kerinci and that there should be no reason for any delay.
Wawan Ridwan, an official at the relief distribution center, told The Jakarta Post by phone that problems had occurred because some villages were remote and difficult to reach.
Another official, Anwar Mansyur, said each day five trucks leave for the Gunung Kerinci district carrying relief supplies.
Besides food, tents and medical supplies, the relief center has also collected more than Rp 200 million in cash, Anwar said. (msa/rms)