Harley riders told to apologize for beating man
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor
Responding to the beating of an innocent man by members of the Jakarta Harley Owners Group (HOG) on Saturday, chairman of the Harley Davidson Club Indonesia (HDCI) Lt. Gen. (ret) Suyono urged the organization on Sunday to publicly apologize.
Suyono argued that a public apology was necessary to prevent local people, irked by the group's arrogance, from retaliating.
In a statement read out by a HDCI Bogor branch official, Michael A. Wilson, Suyono said he deeply regretted the incident and demanded that HOG members involved in the beating apologize to the victim and his family.
"What they did was tarnishing the image of big bike lovers," he said.
Suyono said the HDCI had established conduct and speed rules which its members must obey.
HOG members beat up Gunawan, 50, a resident of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) housing complex in Darmaga, while they were riding along Jl. Raya Semplak in a motorcade heading to Labuan, Banten province, on Saturday at 9:55 a.m.
The parade was running at 80 kilometers per hour and was escorted by military police to clear the way.
The Traffic Law stipulates that an escort can only be used for emergencies, such as for an ambulance or for the President, Vice President and state guests.
Gunawan was told to pull over his Toyota Kijang van by five Harley riders. But just as he was about to do so, the riders bumped into his car. They took him out of the car and beat him in front of his children and sister-in-law, who were inside the car.
Gunawan sustained bruises all over his face and was immediately taken home for treatment.
Residents living close to the scene of the incident in Semplak were infuriated and prepared to attack any rider of a big bike.
Bogor Police command and operational chief, Comr. Made Rumiarsa, himself a big biker, said that the actions of the Harley Davidson drivers was "embarrasing".
"Every citizen has the same right, including in their right to use the road," he said. Police action against the bikers was yet to be clear.