Jl. Jaksa forms forum to protect foreigners

Jl. Jaksa forms forum to protect foreigners

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Amid the ongoing anti-U.S. protests, residents and
businesspeople in Jl. Jaksa, a small street in Central Jakarta
popular among backpackers, have taken the initiative in
establishing a community forum to protect foreigners.

Residents of Jl. Jaksa, and representatives of hotels,
restaurants and small shops along the street established on
Wednesday the Community Communications Forum Against Sweeping of
Foreigners (sic).

With the establishment of the forum, residents will intensify
their 24-hour patrols on the street to keep out intruders who
might cause harm to tourists staying on or just visiting the
street, Max Wekan, deputy chief of the forum told The Jakarta
Post.

"Should there be groups or individuals who try to enter the
street and cause a disturbance, we will negotiate with them
first. If that fails, we will call for police assistance," he
explained, adding that the forum had no intention of clashing
with other groups.

The forum was established in response to the continuing anti-
U.S. protests and threats by hard-line groups, including the
Islam Defenders Front (FPI), to expel Westerners should America
continue attacking Afghanistan.

A group of FPI members attempted to enter Jl. Jaksa on
Wednesday afternoon but were immediately barred by local
residents.

Around 100 community forum members went to the Kebon Sirih
subdistrict office on Jl. Jaksa on Wednesday to ask for the
blessing of the subdistrict head, Sutopo.

Sutopo noted that his office, along with the Menteng Police,
would assuredly support the forum.

Local people who reside on the street have a vested interest
in protecting tourists in their area as most of the locals make
their living from the backpackers.

"The hotels and restaurants here make their profits from the
presence of tourists, while other residents earn a living by
acting as temporary tourist guides. Therefore, we feel the need
to protect foreigners here," said Boy Lawalata, a resident of Jl.
Jaksa and member of the forum.

Meanwhile, small hotels and internet cafes along the street
complained about the drastic losses they had suffered since the
escalation of tension in Jakarta.

"Guests at our hotel have been checking out since Monday when
the U.S. attacked Afghanistan, as advised by their embassies,"
Rahmatullah, a receptionist of the Margot Hotel told the Post
adding that his last five overseas guests were due to check out
on Thursday.

"We are the most affected by this situation, by this security
uncertainty because we make our living from them (the tourists),"
she said.

The manager of the Click Internet cafe, Endang Wahyuningsih,
reiterated the same concerns.

"This place used to make around Rp 500,000 (US$ 49.25) a day,
but now we are lucky if we earn Rp 100,000," said Endang.

"We welcome the residents' efforts to set up this forum
because the threat (of a witch-hunt against foreigners) truly
affects us all," she added.