Jakarta authorities brace for possible spread of killings

Jakarta authorities brace for possible spread of killings

JAKARTA (JP): City authorities are on the alert to prevent the
possibility of a spate of mysterious killings of sorcerers, known
locally as santet, from reaching the capital after it was
reported to have spread from East Java into Central Java and West
Java, officials said on Friday.

"Security personnel have been put on the alert. I hope that
people will inform the authorities if they see any signs of the
killings spreading here," city police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho
Djajoesman told reporters after a meeting with high-ranking city
officials at the City Hall.

Noegroho said the public would also be encouraged to improve
their neighborhood security patrols to prevent the mysterious
killing spree from taking hold in Jakarta.

He was accompanied by Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur
Abdullah, East Jakarta Mayor Andi Mappaganty and North Jakarta
Mayor Subagyo when he met the press.

So far, he said, the city has remained secure against the
hysteria surrounding santet in other parts of Java. No extra
security has been deployed at places frequented by victims
elsewhere, such as Islamic boarding schools.

Information released by the Commission for Missing Persons and
Victims of Violence (Kontras) suggests that at least 147 people
had been killed in regencies of East Java. A number of victims
have been accused of practicing sorcery, although many were later
found to be Moslem preachers and Koranic teachers.

Governor Sutiyoso also said on Friday that the mysterious
killing spree must be kept out of Jakarta.

"We have to safeguard Jakarta so as not to project the image
that Indonesians are barbaric," he said in a meeting with chief
editors and senior journalists.

It has been reported that the mysterious killings have spread
to Central and West Java.

In the village of Margasana in Serang, West Java, a 55-year-
old farmer identified as Jajul bin Suhaemi was submerged in a
mosque's water tank before being beaten to death by an angry mob.

Mappaganty said that to avoid more killings, he would gather
ulemas, Islamic teachers, neighborhood community heads and other
local community leaders to establish effective ways to guard
against the menace.

"I have scheduled a meeting with ulemas and Islamic teachers
on Oct. 31. We'll discuss whether places like Islamic boarding
schools need special security," he said.

He said that Islamic boarding schools, which number more than
40 in East Jakarta, should improve their own security systems in
the meantime.

Mappaganty said that he would stress the importance of
guarding against the killings to community leaders.

"If they find any indication of killings motivated by this
superstition they should report it to their superiors
immediately," he said.

He also said the mayoralty had urged people to improve their
neighborhood security watches to guard against the killings
reaching Jakarta.

Andi Subur said that he had urged Central Jakarta residents to
tighten up their neighborhood patrols.

"It is the most effective way of securing our own safety," he
said.

Andi said he planned to tour the mayoralty's subdistricts, and
neighborhood security posts to impress the importance of the
matter. (ind)