Community Organisation Leader Arrested After Vandalising and Threatening Sub-District Staff in Makassar
The leader of a community organisation (ormas) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, identified by the initials SDR (47), has been arrested by police after committing acts of vandalism and intimidation whilst protesting the eviction of street vendors at the Pabaeng-baeng Sub-District Office.
"We have secured the suspect," said Ipda Supriadi Gaffar, Head of Sub-Unit 2 of the Violent Crimes Unit at the Makassar Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Division, speaking to reporters on Friday (20 February).
The incident began when approximately 40 members of the organisation arrived at the Pabaeng-baeng Sub-District Office to protest government authorities' eviction of street vendors on Jalan Sultan Alauddin, Makassar, on Wednesday (18 February). The group was led directly by the suspect, SDR.
"There were around 40 people led by SDR, acting in the name of a community organisation, when they came to the sub-district office to question the enforcement action against street vendors," Gaffar said.
Whilst at the sub-district office, the suspect and dozens of organisation members intimidated staff and damaged government property. The suspect then drew a badik — a traditional Makassarese dagger — with the intent of threatening sub-district office staff.
"They intimidated employees and damaged service facilities at the sub-district office. As they were about to leave, the suspect drew and brandished his badik," Gaffar explained.
Following the incident, the sub-district authorities immediately filed a report with the police, leading to the suspect's arrest.
"The suspect is currently undergoing further examination," he said.
"We have secured the suspect," said Ipda Supriadi Gaffar, Head of Sub-Unit 2 of the Violent Crimes Unit at the Makassar Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Division, speaking to reporters on Friday (20 February).
The incident began when approximately 40 members of the organisation arrived at the Pabaeng-baeng Sub-District Office to protest government authorities' eviction of street vendors on Jalan Sultan Alauddin, Makassar, on Wednesday (18 February). The group was led directly by the suspect, SDR.
"There were around 40 people led by SDR, acting in the name of a community organisation, when they came to the sub-district office to question the enforcement action against street vendors," Gaffar said.
Whilst at the sub-district office, the suspect and dozens of organisation members intimidated staff and damaged government property. The suspect then drew a badik — a traditional Makassarese dagger — with the intent of threatening sub-district office staff.
"They intimidated employees and damaged service facilities at the sub-district office. As they were about to leave, the suspect drew and brandished his badik," Gaffar explained.
Following the incident, the sub-district authorities immediately filed a report with the police, leading to the suspect's arrest.
"The suspect is currently undergoing further examination," he said.