Motorcycle Gang Confronts Makassar Police Headquarters During Iftar

A motorcycle gang confronted officers at Samapta Police Headquarters (Polrestabes) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, whilst members were breaking their Ramadan fast.

The incident is believed to have occurred after officers warned the bikers against revving their engines in convoy formation whilst residents were performing their religious observances.

“Yes, that is correct. It happened when members were breaking their fast at the office,” said Samapta Commander at Polrestabes Makassar, AKBP Justin, to CNNIndonesia.com on Sunday (15 March).

The incident began when hundreds of motorcycle gang members riding along Botolempangan Street in Makassar at approximately 18:35 WITA on Sunday (15 March) were revving their engines whilst setting off firecrackers. Police officers in the vicinity immediately intercepted the motorcycle convoy.

“They passed by the office, and our Turjawali members intercepted the convoy with the intention of taking action and reminding them not to set off firecrackers and rev their engines, given that residents were performing evening prayers at the mosque, but they resisted,” Justin explained.

When stopped, according to Justin, the motorcycle gang members did not accept the warning. The gang members then threatened the Samapta Polrestabes Makassar officers who had stopped them.

“They threatened to stage protests and some invited officers to duel, and they threatened to report the officers,” he said.

Nevertheless, according to Justin, all Samapta Polrestabes Makassar members pursued persuasive approaches, preventing any undesirable incidents from occurring.

“They threatened to return with larger numbers of people,” he added.