“Who knows? All sorts of things happen in Jakarta nowadays. But whatever happens, we won’t be in Jakarta anymore. Who cares!”
By ten o’clock the police stations all over Jakarta were flooded by telephone calls from shopkeepers and district offices asking for police protection, since the crowds waiting to buy rice and kerosene were getting out of hand.
It was reported that two shops in Jatinegara had been invaded by a mob because the owners had announced that their supply of kerosene was exhausted.
Murhalim was in a becak going to Senen Market when it was held up near the railway crossing by several dozen other passenger-carrying becak.
The passengers called out to Murhalim’s driver. “Come and help. That shop over there won’t sell us kerosene and rice!”
The becak driver told Murhalim t
