A deadly electoral riot in Banjarmasin killed at least 137 people and caused widespread destruction of Christian, Chinese, and commercial properties.
Key Facts
- Date
- May 23, 1997
- Death toll
- At least 137 people
- Shopping malls damaged/destroyed
- 8 malls
- Houses damaged/destroyed
- 130 houses
- Churches attacked
- Seven denominations affected
- Trigger
- Last day of 1997 Indonesian legislative election campaign
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
In the strongly Islamic city of Banjarmasin, supporters of the PPP (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan) were angered by perceived abuses of power by the ruling Golkar party during the campaign for the 1997 Indonesian legislative election. Tensions reached a peak after Friday prayers on May 23, the final day of the campaign.
Thousands of PPP supporters attacked Golkar rally-goers, triggering widespread violence across the city. Rioters targeted Chinese-owned businesses, Christian churches of multiple denominations, shopping malls, hotels, schools, and government buildings. The deadliest incident occurred at Mitra Plaza mall, where looters trapped on the second floor refused to surrender to police.
At least 137 people were killed, the majority inside Mitra Plaza mall. Extensive property destruction included 8 malls, 130 houses, 21 cars, a Buddhist temple, multiple Catholic and Protestant churches, and four government buildings. The riot became one of the deadliest incidents of communal and electoral violence in late-Suharto-era Indonesia.
Political Outcome
Widespread destruction of religious, ethnic minority, and commercial property; at least 137 people killed; violence highlighted ethnic and religious tensions in Indonesia's late-Suharto political climate.