THE wishes of the 200 or so residents of Sambas in West Kalimantan were simple enough: they hoped that the government would take care of them. But because they failed to receive any attention, the victims of a riot that occurred nine years ago, and who are still sheltering in the Bangkalan regency of Madura Island, launched a lawsuit.

With the assistance of a local legal aid foundation, last year the residents filed a class action with the Surabay