Noegroho urges public to stop wanton destruction
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)