NO DELAYS IN EXPORT SHIPMENTS FROM TG PRIOK PORT : MINISTER

Jakarta, April 15 (ANTARA) - There were no delays in export good shipments from Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port because of Wednesday's rioting at the "Mbah Priok" tomb site in Koja, a minister said here Thursday.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Radjasa said there were no delays in export shipments because only a few of the seaport's gates were closed during the clashes between Koja residents and city public order troops intending to demolish illegal structures in and around the tomb of a respected Muslim cleric.

The minister said not all goods exported or imported had to pass through Tanjung Priok port's container terminal which was closed when the clashes occurred.

"Not all goods had to go through the blocked area so there were no delays in export shipments," he said.

Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi said the clashes that caused three deaths and injured 137 people only delayed two container trip shifts.

"The only delays happened to the second and third container trip shifts while the other shifts ran normally," Minister Numberi said.
Earlier, one of Hatta Rajasa's deputies, Edy Putra Irawadi, said the clashes had caused material losses of hundreds of millions of rupiahs.

According to Edy, truck traffic to and from the Koja container terminal was hampered by the clashes.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Employers Association chairman Sofyan Wanandi said many businessmen had suffered at least Rp20 million in losses due to the unrest near Tanjung Priok port.