Indonesia's military tightens grip on unrest

Riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets when a protest spilled onto the streets of Jakarta

May 7, 1998
Web posted at: 2:58 p.m. EDT (1858 GMT)

MEDAN, Indonesia (CNN) -- Indonesian troop convoys rolled through the streets of the nation's third largest city on Thursday in a show of force aimed at quelling four days of unrest.

As the military tried to crackdown on looters and protesters, hundreds of ethnic Chinese were reportedly fleeing Medan. In the last several days, Chinese business owners have been on the receiving end of the violence and looting, as angry Indonesians exert their frustrations over soaring prices.

Conflicting reports indicate that at least two and perhaps as many as six people have died in the violence in Medan and neighboring towns.

People looting in Indonesia amidst rising inflation
	2.3MB / 21 sec. / 320x240 774 K / 21 sec. / 160x120 QuickTime movie

The violence intensified on Thursday in Jakarta, where police used pepper spray and rubber bullets to push back some 3,000 student protesters who tried to break through a police barricade.

Sources told CNN at least 10 students from two Jakarta universities were injured in Thursday's clashes.

Thursday marked the fourth straight day of violence stemming from protests in Indonesia

Chaos began Monday

Until Monday, it was the university students who since mid-February had staged nearly daily demonstrations demanding President Suharto's resignation. The students say Suharto's government is corrupt, and they blame his 32-year regime for the nation's financial crisis.

The nation's rupiah currency has plunged more than 70 percent since last summer. Suharto's government is under pressure from the International Monetary Fund to implement reforms in exchange for a $43 billion bailout package.

In Medan, the anti-government demonstrations erupted into riots on Monday, when Suharto's government announced increases in fuel, transportation and electricity prices.

On Wednesday, Indonesia's military commander, Gen. Wiranto, flew into the city to survey the scene, and ordered a crackdown.

"What happened in Medan was rioting, not demonstrations ... so I'm calling for stern action in accordance to the law," Wiranto said.

By Thursday, Wiranto seemed to soften a little with his announcement that the military would name a team to study political reform -- a key demand of the student protesters who want democracy.

Chaos from protests and riots prompted massive looting in Medan

Casualties?

Casualty reports on the violence since Monday were muddled.

On Thursday, Reuters reported that Medan residents said one person died in overnight violence. Reuters said a funeral was under way by the afternoon, but that the news agency got no confirmation of the death.

On Wednesday, local reporters in Medan said two people were shot and killed by security forces and that four others had died in burning buildings. The reporters have also said more than 100 people were wounded, mostly by gunfire by troops and police.

Indonesian officials have given conflicting information.

On Thursday, Reuters quoted Wiranto as saying, "So far, nobody died in Medan."

The official Antara news agency quoted North Sumatra police chief Brigadier-General Ma Sambas as saying there had been "not many" deaths during the rioting. He specifically mentioned one person who died of burns, and he said 35 people had been wounded.

The Associated Press quoted military sources who said two people had died in Medan's violence.

On Thursday, Suharto lashed out at the media for what he said were misleading reports of Indonesia's recent troubles.

"The news depicts Indonesia as though there is rioting everywhere, that the economic situation is very bad, and that people can't even eat," the 76-year-old former general said.

The clash began with students calling for political reform

Stealing food

Thursday morning in Medan began with more looting.

CNN camera crews videotaped men and women scrambling for sacks of flour, rice, sugar and anything they could carry -- even a weighing scale.

The mob had broken down the door to a warehouse owned by an ethnic Chinese.

"No one planned this. It just happened. That's our nation today ... even the village head is here," one of the looters told CNN. The man proceeded to point out prominent members of his community who were taking part in the looting.

Ethnic Chinese typically bear the brunt of violence against Indonesian shopkeepers. The ethnic Chinese make up about 30 percent of Medan's population, and about 5 percent of Indonesia's 200 million population.

In Medan, some shops with notices saying they were owned by Muslims have been spared. Some Muslim-owned shops were untouched, alongside Chinese-owned shops that were looted and gutted.

Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Indonesian students stage anti-Suharto protests - April 20, 1998
• Indonesia, IMF agree on new economic-reform package - April 8, 1998
• Will Indonesia's new Cabinet rock troubled economy? - March 14, 1998
• Suharto, at swearing-in, foresees tough times for Indonesia - March 11, 1998
• Indonesia's Suharto re-elected, names VP choice - March 10, 1998
• Indonesian students protest on eve of Suharto re-election - March 9, 1998

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• Indonesia Internet Information Center - starting point for information about Indonesia
• DKI Jakarta - official Web site of the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia
• Indonesia Times Online - English language daily.
• Indonesia - AsianNet

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

---

 

---

Sound off on our message boards & chat

© 1998 Cable News Network, Inc.
A Time Warner Company
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.