30 youths in Riau seized Caltex cars, demanding jobs
Tuesday, February 6 2001 - 04:30 AM WIB
Again, at least 30 young people in Riau seized five cars owned by PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia on Friday night, last week as a protest against the company's refusal to employ them, Riau Pos reported on Tuesday.
The daily reported the youths stopped the cars at the Balai Makmur youth center in Mandau district late on Friday. The youths then seized the cars and asked their drivers to go home, according to the newspaper.
After receiving information from the people, the local police went to the spot in the following day and tried to get the cars but the youth refused to meet the request. Three of the youths were then arrested for refusing the surrender the vehicles.
In a negotiation mediated by "the chief in command of the Malay paramilitary" Usamah Alwi, the youths finally agreed to surrender the five cars. The police also freed the three seized youths.
The seizure of local companies' cars by the local youths has become common sights in the oil rich province. In the past, youths of between 18 and 20 years old seized vehicles a number of vehicles owned by Caltex and its contractors in different places in the province. The youths mostly took the actions after their requests to work in the companies were rejected.(*)