Kalijodo gangs sign peace deal

Kalijodo gangs sign peace deal

The leaders of two warring gangs in the Kalijodo brothel and
gambling complex in Penjaringan district, North Jakarta, signed
an agreement on Wednesday to end their long-standing feud.

The two gangs from South Sulawesi's Mandar and Makassar ethnic
groups have been battling to collect protection money from
brothels and gambling operators in the complex. Their practices
were backed up by corrupt police and military officers.

The leader of the Mandar gang, Yusman Nur, and the Makassar
gang leader, Abdul Azis, signed the agreement at the Penjaringan
Police station.

North Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Andi Chaerudin witnessed
the signing of the deal, which was marked by the handing over of
about 300 sharp weapons.

A third gang in Kalijodo, this one made up of members of the
Banten ethnic group, was not involved in the clash between the
Mandar and Makassar gangs earlier this year which resulted in the
death of a thug and the destruction of numerous brothels.

"The agreement was reached after both parties agreed to end
their dispute," said the chairman of the South Sulawesi Community
Social Foundation, Ihsan Rauf Praja.

Both Azis and Yusman declined to comment, only saying that all
matters were being handled by the foundation.

Governor Sutiyoso had planned to close the complex in
February, but the brothels and gambling dens are still operating.
-- JP