Anarchy on Jl. Sudirman<\/p>\n
While battling the rush-hour traffic on a normal day in
\nJakarta is not exactly pleasurable, few motorists would have
\nanticipated the mayhem and violence that greeted them opposite
\nthe Senayan sports complex on Oct. 4 in the evening. As for
\nmyself, although my wristwatch was stolen, I now believe that, in
\nhindsight, I was perhaps one of the lucky ones. I had left my
\noffice -- which is located in Citibank Plaza on Jl. Sudirman at
\naround 6 p.m. and immediately found myself in a traffic jam amid
\nrampaging football supporters.<\/p>\n
Many of these hooligans, rocks in hand, were busy smashing car
\nwindows and relieving motorists and pedestrians of their
\nbelongings. Rather astonishingly considering the reputation of
\nthese hooligans, there were no police to be seen anywhere.
\nAlthough I was on a motorcycle, I was not in a position to turn
\nback as there were simply too many people. I therefore intended
\nto take the first left turn just past the British Council to get
\naway from the trouble. Unfortunately for me, just before the
\nturning, some of the football supporters spotted me and attempted
\nto topple me from my motorcycle, presumably to rob me. Luckily, I
\nwas able to react quickly and although one of them managed to
\nreach out and rip the wristwatch off my wrist, I was able to
\nmaintain my balance and get away. As the motivation for these so-
\ncalled football supporters is simply to commit criminal acts and
\nto terrorize Jakarta residents, why are such football
\ncompetitions allowed to take place in the first place? Most
\nabsurd of all, is how the match organizers could arrange the
\nmatch so that it ends at exactly the same time that office
\nworkers are leaving their offices. Is it too much to ask to feel
\nsafe in this city?<\/p>\n
MARTIN JENKINS<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/anarchy-on-jl-sudirman-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }