Matraman residents called to settle battle themselves

Matraman residents called to settle battle themselves

JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi regretted
the seemingly endless dispute between two neighboring residents
in the Matraman area, East Jakarta, urging the disputed parties
to settle the prolonged battle on their own.

The police, Nurfaizi said, would do their best to stop the
never-ending battle but could not do it without the help of the
warring neighbors.

"Now it's up to the residents whether or not to continue with
such destructive actions. The police can't work alone," he told
reporters at city police headquarters.

"Noted local figures, such as teachers and religious leaders,
should urge the residents not to become involved in such brawls,"
added Nurfaizi, who in the morning inspected the area with
several local officials.

The brawl between neighboring residents of Kebon Manggis and
Palmeriam, along Jl. Matraman, which flared up last Sunday and
continued on both Tuesday and Friday, was triggered again in the
early hours of Sunday.

In the latest clash, the mob burned 12 buildings, including
shops and residents' houses. No fatalities were reported. As
usual, the clash, which has tarnished the lives of the two
neighborhoods for so many years, was prompted by a small incident
between local teenagers.

Separately contacted on Sunday, city spokesman Muhayat
supported Nurfaizi's remarks, saying that the age-old conflict
between the Matraman neighbors could only be resolved by the
disputed residents themselves.

"Governor Sutiyoso has ordered East Jakarta Mayor Andi
Mappaganti to reconcile both areas and there has been a meeting
for that purpose. Yet they started fighting again," he said over
the phone.

"Local figures must urge residents to restrain themselves. The
governor also said that he suspected there were provocateurs
taking advantage of the situation," Muhayat said, but gave no
further details.

Mappaganti, who accompanied Nurfaizi on his visit on Sunday,
said that his office would soon build a two-meter by 400-meter
fence to divide the two warring neighborhoods.

"We'll build the fence soon. We have no other choice," he
said.

A Lautan Berlian Mitsubishi showroom and a Sari Kuring
restaurant were destroyed by the fire on Sunday. The total amount
of losses was still unknown by the buildings' owners.

"Not only did the mob burn the building but they also took the
equipment, such as the air-conditioners and computers. Some of
them plundered our spare parts," Joni, a staffer at the
Mitsubishi showroom told reporters.

Separately, local residents asked the authorities to deploy
the Navy's elite Marine Corps to avoid any brawls in the future.

"We can't rely on police officers because residents of Kebon
Manggis are widely known to be of Army background," a teenager
said on condition of anonymity.

Another resident criticized the police for arriving late at
the scene and doing nothing to stop the brawl.

"Police only show up in daylight and they disappear at night,"
she said.

There were three police trucks and two armored vehicles seen
at the location on Sunday afternoon.

Nurfaizi admitted that police were late as they needed some
time to reach the location.

The officer also criticized residents, who prevented fire
trucks from entering the location to put out the fire.

"When the fire trucks arrived, some residents tried to prevent
them from entering the scene. But as they were late, the
residents blamed the city's fire office," he added.

Nurfaizi pledged to take strong action against any anarchic
activities.

"There is no other choice, I will take stern action against
all acts of destruction," he warned. (nvn)