Liberian beaten over fish dish

JAKARTA (JP): Angry residents of Jl. Jaksa, the Central Jakarta street famed for hotels popular among backpackers, beat up a Liberian in the early hours of Friday after the latter allegedly refused to pay for a dish he had ordered at a restaurant, a report said.

Kruah Joe B., 27, who was rushed to the emergency room at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, was reportedly engrossed in a heated quarrel with the restaurant's owner over Pecel Lele (fried freshwater catfish served with spicy sambal) when a group of local youngsters intervened to teach the foreigner a lesson.

Antara quoted sources at the hospital as saying that the Liberian suffered serious injuries, mostly to his forehead, in the incident in the Menteng area.

The sources said that Kruah left the restaurant at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday without intending to pay for the food. When the restaurant owner stopped and asked him about the bill, the Liberian insisted he be allowed to proceed.

The local youths, who apparently saw the incident, got angry and turned on Kruah.

By the time officers from the nearby Gambir police subprecinct arrived at the scene, the defenseless Liberian was in a bad condition.

When searching Kruah's body, the police found US$150 in his wallet.

After several hours of medical treatment, Kruah was discharged from the hospital. (bsr)