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Looting causes massive losses in Penjaringan
Looting reportedly triggered by Friday's massive rally calling for the prosecution of inactive governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemous remarks about Islam is estimated to have caused significant losses for vendors and businesses in Penjaringan, North Jakarta.
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Hard evidence: (from left) Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono and National Police spokespeople Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar and Brig. Gen. Agus Rianto show pictures of a violent rally on Friday in Jakarta during a press briefing at the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta on Saturday. (JP/Moses Ompusunggu)
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ooting reportedly triggered by Friday's massive rally is estimated to have caused significant losses for vendors and businesses in Penjaringan, North Jakarta.
Paryanto, 35, a field coordinator for vendors in Jl. Gedong Panjang in Penjaringan, said that most of the vendors affected were not traumatized by the invasion of hundreds of looters. However, their losses were estimated to reach hundreds of millions or rupiah.
"A huge amount of money is needed to repair the destruction. As well as that, time is also needed to assure customers that this area is safe," he told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
On Saturday, at least 10 businesses were recorded as being victims of the attacks. They include two convenience stores, Alfamart and Indomaret, and Bakso Tukul, a meatball soup outlet owned by well-known comedian Tukul Arwana. Police lines have been set around the area, located in front of the Pakin Transjakarta bus station, while broken glass is still scattered.
The looting broke out at around 7:30 p.m. on Friday after a huge demonstration in Central Jakarta calling for the prosecution of inactive governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemous remarks about Islam. Around 100,000 protestors flocked to the city to push the National Police to prosecute Ahok, who is seeking a second term as governor of the capital.
Paryanto said that most of the perpetrators were teenagers from Muara Baru, North Jakarta, who had one taken advantage of the chaotic conditions in the city after the rally. The Penjaringan Police have detained 15 suspects in the case. (fac)
