Mob attack leaves car, bike burned in Batam

BATAM: The Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI) office on Friday was vandalized by a mob that was furious at having been reported to the police for allegedly extorting farmers.

Fifty men in two pickup trucks came to the HNSI Batam office, which is part of the Batam Center, at 1.30 p.m. After failing to locate any officials, the mob raided the three-storey building.

They burn a car and motorcycle parked outside the building.

"They showed up suddenly, yelling and attacking the building. We were scared and fled indoors. I was watching from my home," David, a resident, told The Jakarta Post.

HNSI secretary Firmansyah identified one of the offenders as Yoseph, and said he believed the men were venting their anger over allegations that they extorted money from several farmers at Tanjung Uncang.

"They were not happy at having been reported to the police for extorting money from companies in Batam and the farmers," he said, adding that the attacks resulted in damage worth hundreds of millions. - JP