Habibie orders military inquiry into 'organised' riots

INDONESIA'S NEW president, BJ Habibie, yesterday ordered the investigation of claims that riots that killed almost 1,200 people last month were organised.

President Habibie, who has promised sweeping reforms since he succeeded President Suharto, said: "I ask the armed forces to disclose the truth about rumours that riots and looting [were] organised by certain groups." Amien Rais, a Muslim opposition leader, said he also believed certain groups were specifically encouraged to riot during May's political turmoil.