Youths loot Samarinda shops

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Dozens of youths looted and destroyed a number of shops at Pinang Bebaris Shopping Center here yesterday, causing panic and prompting shop owners across the city to quickly close their businesses.

Antara reported that witnesses believed the looters had broken away from a group of about 100 people staging a rally at the provincial legislative assembly building, where Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid was swearing in the new governor, Suwarna.

Witnesses said they were taken by surprise when youths, between 15 and 25 years old, began pelting stones at stores and looting Eka Raya store and the Sumber Sari Mini-Market.

"I lost millions of rupiah today," said Predy, owner of Eka Raya store.

"They took clothes, shoes and hats from my store. Most of my windows were also shattered."

The owner of the Sumber Sari Mini-Market, Joko Susanto, said the looters damaged his shop first before looting it.

Security personnel from the Samarinda Military Command were dispatched to restore order.

A military officer was hurt during the rally at the provincial legislative assembly building.