Housewives went end to communal discord

JAKARTA (JP): At least 25 housewives from Menteng Jaya subdistrict in Central Jakarta demanded on Friday an end to recurring brawls between local residents and residents of neighboring Manggarai subdistrict in South Jakarta.

They visited the National Commission on Human Rights' office to ask for help in solving the chronic problem once and for all.

They urged the commission to visit the two subdistricts, which are separated by railway tracks, to encourage the two warring groups to come to a peaceful settlement.

"We have practically been living in fear over the last few years as those involved in the unpredictable brawls frequently pelt stones at each other, thereby damaging our houses," housewife Nurhayati said.

The brawls can occur any time for no obvious reason, Nurhayati said, adding that the latest brawl, albeit small, happened three days ago.

She said she did not know who was responsible for the brawls. "We just knew that stones hit our roofs and break our windows," she said.

The housewives said their families never involved themselves in brawls, adding that some had mother-in-laws living in the rival subdistrict.

Two commission members, Soegiri and M. Salim, just smiled when several of the housewives tried in unison to voice their fears.

"Please one by one. How could you take husbands from the rival subdistrict?" Soegiri asked.

Soegiri promised the women that he would help mediate between the warring groups.

He said he would first summon residents from the two subdistricts and ask them to explain their problem, after that he would pay a visit to the areas.

A series of major brawls took place in September and claimed the lives of two men.

The first fatality was Sutrisno, 40, who was shot with an air rifle when he was caught in a clash on Sept. 27.

Andi Billah, 28, a resident of Matraman, was stabbed in a clash on the night of Sept. 30. He was rushed to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for treatment, but later died.

In a bid to solve the problem, Governor Sutiyoso has proposed resettling residents of the two subdistricts to other areas, or send them back to their hometowns.

Residents of both subdistricts at one time agreed to end their feud, but the truce did not last long. (jun)