Hoodlums counseled, cleanup goes on
JAKARTA (JP): City authorities are attempting to rehabilitate 68 alleged hoodlums from Tanah Abang to avoid further social unrest in Central Jakarta's busiest market and bus terminal.
The men were taken Sunday to a site at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta but later moved to Ragunan Sports Dormitory in South Jakarta, Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi said yesterday.
"We picked a suitable place to have an open, friendly, heart- to-heart discussion with them about their existence," Kahfi said.
"They will be kept here for about two or three days before being allowed to return to Tanah Abang."
The program was organized by the municipality, Jakarta Police Headquarters and Jakarta Military Command.
"We're not going to arrest them. We just want to rehabilitate them so they have a certain awareness that what they have been doing -- disturbing public order -- is wrong," Kahfi said.
The alleged hoodlums could not be reached yesterday to comment on the "program".
The presence of hoodlums in Tanah Abang has apparently disturbed local residents, who claim the hoodlums support the growth of gambling and prostitution in the area.
Tanah Abang is home to a bus terminal, railway station and a huge apparel market and surrounded by slum areas.
In the last three days, clashes between locals and hoodlums -- due to misunderstandings and frustration -- have rocked Tanah Abang.
At least two men have been killed in the fighting.
Kahfi said the municipality was determined to develop Tanah Abang into a business center where traders and the community can live peacefully and prosperously.
"So the first thing we want to do is set up a project to clear a 5,000-square-meter plot in Kebon Jati," he said. "The plan will be included in the 1998/1999 city budget."
The city has started informing Kebon Jati residents, who will be most affected by the plan, about the land clearing, he said.
"Most of them are considered illegal residents because they occupy state property without the proper documentation."
The city also plans to cooperate with state-owned Perumka railway company to install adequate electricity and lighting in the nearby low-class, red-light Bongkaran area.
Bongkaran has been the area's gambling den and hub of cheap prostitution.
Djafar Badjeber, head of Commission B for economic affairs, who has been closely monitoring Tanah Abang, said the reaction of Tanah Abang residents recently indicated their distrust of officials handling the matter.
"Tanah Abang area has been left in a hectic state for quite some time. People are worried. You can't just calm the people down temporarily.
"Therefore, it is time for the municipality and other related parties to take firm action against the hoodlums' existence and reduce their numbers once and for all."
The head of Commission E for welfare affairs, Soeparmo, said hoodlums must be educated and given jobs.
"They are the marginal people of this society. We can't just eliminate them or shoot them dead. The municipality and other related parties have to enforce the rules while, at the same time, providing them with jobs. If they are jobless, they will always be 'criminals'."
In a related development, National Military Police Commander Maj. Gen. Syamsu D. disclosed yesterday the alleged role of one of his officers in the recent Tanah Abang clashes.
He named Chief Corporal G as the officer who allegedly backed up the hoodlums.
"He also prevented police officers and doctors from doing an autopsy on the bodies of the hoodlums who were killed during the attacks," Syamsu said, adding that the officer was still at large.
As part of the city's plan to clean up Tanah Abang, police officers apprehended 53 prostitutes Sunday evening.
Jakarta Military chief of staff, Brig. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, said: "We really need people's patience with this matter. Cracking down on Tanah Abang's problems has never been an easy job. That is why I urge all parties not to inflame the situation by spreading rumors or taking the law into their own hands." (07/cst)