Mob attacks developer's office

A mob of over 100 men attacked the marketing office of the Taman Permata Buana housing complex in Kembangan, West Jakarta, on Saturday morning, burning virtually all documents inside and breaking windows.

The attackers, claiming to represent local resident Aminah binti Ilyas, demanded that developer PT Mustika return a 5,500- square-meter plot of land that they said still belonged to her.

The mob vowed to occupy the office until Monday, but by 1:15 p.m., police had forcefully dispersed the group, triggering a brief clash, in which several people were injured.

Police arrested 47 of the mob, who were still undergoing intensive questioning at city police headquarters on Saturday evening.

A group of people, also claiming to represent Aminah, also occupied the office on May 26 and stayed for three days until police evicted them.

Before leaving the office, however, Aminah's supporters, who were mostly native Jakartans and Moluccans, clashed with a group of Bantenese who were siding with the developer.

The ensuing clash caused the death of Jahuri, 22, a resident of Serang, and injured nine others. Police arrested John Atambua for the killing.

The dispute between Aminah and the developer has been going on for years, with Aminah claiming to own the land where PT Mustika's office is situated.

PT Mustika, on the other hand, insists that it owns the land and asked police to verify Aminah's fingerprint on the deed in her possession. City police are scheduled to announce the authenticity of Aminah's fingerprint on Monday, June 20. --JP