ASSEMBLY HALL; BALLOTING FOR HOUSES; PEOPLE OUTSIDE; ARMED TROOPS.




Initials GS/VS/JH/SC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: MALAYSIA'S RECENT RACIAL VIOLENCE HAS LEFT THE AUTHORITIES WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF PROBLEMS, AND ONE OF THESE IS HOW TO HOUSE THOSE LEFT HOMELESS AFTER THE RIOTS.

A BALLOT SYSTEM HAS BEEN INTRODUCED FOR ARSON VICTIMS. SIX THOUSAND CHINESE ALONE ARE WITHOUT HOMES AND IN KUALA LUMPUR THE BULK OF THEM ARE CLAMOURING FOR AID.

YESTERDAY (MONDAY) THE AUTHORITIES ORGANISED A BALLOT FOR HOMES AND THERE WAS A RUSH OF APPLICANTS. ABOUT 300 CHINESE CROWDED THE HALL WHERE THE BALLOT WAS TO BE HELD AND THESE WERE ALLOWED IN ONE BY ONE.

MANY OF THOSE OUTSIDE BECAME IMPATIENT AND AN OFFICIAL HAD TO COME AND PACIFY THEM. BUT HIS EFFORTS WERE NOT ENOUGH -- AS THE GATES WERE UNLOCKED TO ALLOW THE NEXT PERSON THROUGH, THE CROWD BURST IN.