Brawl between two ethnic groups

JAKARTA (JP): One man was injured during a brawl late Tuesday between two ethnic groups in Koja subdistrict, North Jakarta, according to a city police report.

The brawl between a Madurese ethnic group (from East Java) and a group of Bugis (from South Sulawesi) was believed to have been sparked by the beating of a Bugis boy by a Madurese man three days earlier.

"A group of Bugis men, apparently relatives of the boy, went to the Koja neighborhood where many Madurese live," the report said.

The two groups immediately became involved in heated argument, which led to a brawl breaking out at about 10:30 p.m., after the Bugis group failed to find the man who beat the boy.

Suryadi, 30, a Madurese, sustained a severe slash to the head and left thigh during the commotion.

Local police arrived at the scene after being notified by residents and managed to apprehend a man, identified as Abdul, 20, for allegedly possessing a sickle.

Others reportedly fled as soon as police arrived at the scene. (emf)