Noegroho urges public to stop wanton destruction

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman urged Greater Jakarta residents on Monday to stop taking the law into their own hands through destruction of property.

"Just hand over your problems to the police. Report any incident you consider wrong, or unlawful, to the police. Do not destroy, and do not burn. Those are criminal acts," Noegroho said on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the deployment of 21,000 joint security personnel assigned to maintain security and order in the capital during the Christmas, New Year's Eve and Idul Fitri holidays.

The two-star general, who some have said should resign his post for failing to stop Wednesday's mob attack on a Christian complex in Cipayung, East Jakarta, warned the public that his personnel would get tough on people meting out vigilante justice.

"I won't think twice about ordering my men to take the strictest action against those who violate the laws by burning and destroying (property), however good their intentions may be."

He was apparently referring to the incident late Sunday night when some 200 residents of Barkah Prumpung in Rawabunga district, East Jakarta, stormed and vandalized two bars, two motels and a hotel in their area.

"First they felt the bars, motels and hotel were covers for prostitution. Then, they forcibly removed bottles of hard liquor and pelted stones at the windows of the buildings," Noegroho said.

He appealed to city residents to let the authorities take appropriate action in responding to their complaints.

"Please report it to the police and let us handle the situation."

Antara reported that members of the mob were attired in white clothes.

No one was reported injured.

Local administration official Nur Mantias, who was monitoring the raid, was quoted as saying that the action was initiated by members of the public.

"We were just guarding the area to avoid arson, which could have easily spread through the residential area," he said.

The mob, mostly consisting of teenagers, walked around the Rawabunga area at about 9 p.m. before heading to three local motels.

They removed the motels' beds and sofas to the street, as owners and alleged prostitutes watched from a distance.

Nur Mantias said his office earlier closed down the motels following residents' complaints about prostitution activities.

"But they reopened, which stirred the residents' anger."

The team of security personnel established on Monday includes members of the military, public order officials and the People's Security (Kamra) militia.

They will be assigned to take part in the annual security operations, code-named Lilin (literally translated as "candle" for the Christmas) and Ketupat (the traditional rice cake eaten at Idul Fitri).

Another mob attack also occurred on Monday morning in the Balaraja area of Tangerang, Noegroho said.

A group of at least 30 people threw stones at the prayer hall and canteen of garment factory PT Tumung, causing extensive damage.

"They did it simply because their work applications were rejected by the factory," Noegroho said. (ylt/01)