Military guards arrival of more E. Java soccer fans

Military guards arrival of more E. Java soccer fans

JAKARTA (JP): More and more East Java soccer fans, a part of
whom were netted on Thursday for causing trouble, ranging from
extortion to stealing food, arrived yesterday to watch this
weekend's National Soccer League tournament finals.

Over 2,000 fans came by train and were dropped off at the
Senen Railway Station in Central Jakarta. Their arrival was
organized by 100 soldiers from East Java Military Command.

Surabaya Military District Commander Lt. Col. Kadri Kusuma,
who accompanied the fans during the journey, said he guaranteed
the fans would not cause trouble.

"None of them will cause trouble. They're all in our hands,"
Kadri said yesterday.

"If both Mitra Surabaya and Persebaya lose, we will take them
home tonight by train. But if one or both of them win, we'd like
to make a request to set up tents at the Senayan Stadium complex
for them to sleep," he said.

Bandung Raya took 1-0 lead against Mitra Surabaya at
yesterday's match which was stopped due to tear gas explosion,
while Persebaya won 3-2 against PSM.

The soccer fans arrived at the Senen station early yesterday
on the Gaya Baru Utara and Gaya Baru Selatan economy-class
trains.

Several windows of the Gaya Baru Utara train were damaged when
the fans were involved in stone throwing with residents of
Semarang and Pekalongan, Central Java. The stone throwing was in
apparent retaliation for stone throwing initiated by Surabaya
fans that have passed through the areas in recent years for
similar games.

Police said the fans were transported on 11 police trucks from
the station to City Police Headquarters.

City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata also asked them to
behave politely. "Don't destroy anything. If your teams win,
celebrate in an orderly fashion, but if they lose, be fair and
accept it."

The fans spontaneously responded to Hamami's remark by saying,
"We won't lose, sir."

'Bonek'

About 630 Surabaya soccer fans were netted on Thursday
for causing trouble, including theft of food from local vendors
and extortion.

The fans are called 'bonek' by locals, a name given to people
who go to Jakarta to watch soccer matches even though they do not
have enough money.

At least 235 were temporarily detained at Pamardi Siwi Drug
Abuse Rehabilitation Center in Cawang, East Jakarta, and another
259 at a building owned by the West Jakarta social services
office. The rest were released because they brought enough money
with them or had relatives in the city who could accommodate
them.

The police kitchen at the headquarters, which was used to
supply meals for police officers during the national election and
campaign period, served around 1,000 meals a day for both police
officers and the netted bonek.

A police source said out of the 630 'bonek', seven were arrested
Thursday for alleged involvement in two robbery cases and three
others were arrested yesterday for similar cases, which took
place near the Senayan Stadium.

It was believed the seven men were part of 20 people who
robbed Selvi and Sri Utami on Thursday morning and made away with
an eight-gram gold necklace and some cash, he said.

It was believed the three other men arrested yesterday,
identified as Roy Darmawan, 20, Ashari, 17, and Abdul Malik, 20,
extorted Rp 350,000 (US$137) from people, he said.

Meanwhile, the brutal actions of the hooligans drew responses
from the governor and councilors yesterday.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said the actions further worsened
the achievements of local soccer teams, which have already been
poor.

"Be honest. We don't need lousy fans, who hit people and
destroy things when their team loses," Surjadi said after
attending the installation of the City Council's new speaker
yesterday.

He said all Indonesians were welcome to come to the city.

"But don't destroy anything. Security officers have been
prepared to anticipate any unexpected events and to prevent
damage by irresponsible people," Surjadi said.

Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said,
"Currently, we're still looking for trucks to send those fans
back home."

Chairman of the United Development Party, Achmad Suaidy,
warned supporters not to burden Jakarta and demanded those who
caused damage to be punished according to the law without
exception. (07/ste/jun/cst)