Surabaya – Protesters in East Java have admitted that they were paid to hit the streets in support of President Abdurrahman Wahid, local police said.

"I have told you before that there are third parties that have been provoking the masses ... and based on preliminary investigation most of those arrested said they had been paid between 25,000 rupiah and 50,000 rupiah each," Inspector-General Sutanto said.

That amount is between S$3.75 and S$7.5 "We are trying to uncover the mastermind behind these actions," he said. He added that 20 of the 174 rioters have been detained and would be charged with vandalism.