One killed as clash erupts in Tanah Abang<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): One man was killed Thursday after a clash
\nbetween Jatibaru residents from Kampung Bali in Tanah Abang,
\nCentral Jakarta, and an unidentified group.<\/p>\n
The identity of the 28-year-old victim remained unclear
\nyesterday after initial reports that he was Timorese were later
\ndenied.<\/p>\n
Several Timorese, including Hercules R. Marcal, a youth leader
\nin Tanah Abang, were unable to identify the body at Cipto
\nMangunkusumo General Hospital's morgue.<\/p>\n
Hercules denied that the victim, who had an eagle tattoo on
\nhis right chest and another on his left arm with the word Sulut
\n-- an abbreviation for North Sulawesi -- was one of his
\nsubordinates.<\/p>\n
Hercules went to the morgue with Abraham Lunggano, a resident
\nof Jatibaru.<\/p>\n
The clash erupted at 11 p.m. after local residents were
\nincensed by rumors that a Timorese -- who helped them extinguish
\na fire which gutted houses Wednesday -- had stolen some
\nbelongings, H.S. Witono, one of the residents, said.<\/p>\n
The rumors apparently offended a group of Timorese, who
\nclaimed they were subordinates of Hercules and went to Jatibaru
\nto investigate the rumors, he said.<\/p>\n
A barrage of stones were hurled in the area's small alleys and
\n300 personnel from Jakarta Military Command and 100 police
\nofficers were deployed about midnight to quell the dispute.<\/p>\n
The head of Central Jakarta Police precinct, Lt. Col. M.
\nIbrahim, said security personnel would remain in the area for
\nanother two or three days to prevent further clashes.<\/p>\n
\"Nobody was detained and an investigation into the cause of
\nthe clash is underway,\" Ibrahim said.<\/p>\n
\"Some people have deliberately used the existence of different
\ngroups in this area for their own interests by spreading certain
\nrumors.\"<\/p>\n
Aman Abrurachman, head of the community neighborhood
\nassociation, said residents living in Kampung Bali were afraid of
\npossible retaliation.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, housewives shopping at Kebon Jati market rushed
\nhome to tell the men to be on alert because they noticed the
\ngroup, who attacked them Thursday, preparing sharp weapons.<\/p>\n
\"They look like they want to start a war. But if they dare
\ncross into this area, we'll fight them like hell,\" Aman said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Military spokesman Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi said
\nyesterday that Ambassador at Large for East Timor Affairs Lopes
\nda Cruz and East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, who
\nhappened to be in the city, also visited the morgue but could not
\nidentify the body.<\/p>\n
He said that one of Hercules' subordinates was wounded in the
\nclash.<\/p>\n
\"Just before the incident happened, the Jatibaru residents
\nshouted: 'Timorese... Timorese' at four Timorese youths passing
\nalong Jl. Jatibaru.\"<\/p>\n
The residents capture one of them, identified as Atay, who was
\nreportedly beaten with blunt objects and suffered severe head
\nwounds, he said<\/p>\n
The head of City Council Commission B for economic affairs
\nDjafar Badjeber underlined the importance of maintaining security
\nin Tanah Abang, believed to be a den for the city's notorious
\nhoodlums.<\/p>\n
\"I urge the municipality and all related parties to maintain
\ncontrol and order in Tanah Abang and crack down on all illegal
\nactivities, ranging from gambling, prostitution and the
\ncollection of illegal levies to illegal vendors operating in the
\narea.<\/p>\n
\"The operation against hoodlums in Tanah Abang must be
\nconducted consistently in order to eliminate the root of the
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
\"The officials must be strict in enforcing the law and avoid
\nany manipulative action such as collusion and corruption with
\nhoodlums.\"<\/p>\n
The bottomline is do not do it halfheartedly, he added.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
\nreiterated yesterday that he would back up all city
\nadministration efforts to put Tanah Abang in order.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie also said that he would take stern action against
\nofficers who gave protection to the hoodlums.<\/p>\n
The head of the city public order office subdivision, Toha
\nReno, said hoodlums were becoming a real threat to people living
\nin the Tanah Abang neighborhood.<\/p>\n
The thugs' illegal activities have really disturbed the area,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"We cracked down on gambling and prostitution activities early
\nthis month. But I think the local residents have run out of
\npatience in dealing with the hoodlums' activities there.\"<\/p>\n
Most of the people living in Kampung Bali are scared that
\nhoodlums will take revenge, Toha said.<\/p>\n
\"That is why right now the Kampung Bali people are arming
\nthemselves with weapons and alerting the community neighborhood
\npatrol.\"<\/p>\n
Toha said Kampung Bali is primarily occupied by Betawi (Native
\nJakartans) and the hoodlums have reportedly picked an ethnic
\nissue to spark the clashes.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, it's our job as officials to maintain stability
\nand control of the area, so nobody gets hurt,\" Toha said.
\n(07\/04\/jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/one-killed-as-clash-erupts-in-tanah-abang-1447893297",
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