One killed as clash erupts in Tanah Abang

One killed as clash erupts in Tanah Abang

JAKARTA (JP): One man was killed Thursday after a clash
between Jatibaru residents from Kampung Bali in Tanah Abang,
Central Jakarta, and an unidentified group.

The identity of the 28-year-old victim remained unclear
yesterday after initial reports that he was Timorese were later
denied.

Several Timorese, including Hercules R. Marcal, a youth leader
in Tanah Abang, were unable to identify the body at Cipto
Mangunkusumo General Hospital's morgue.

Hercules denied that the victim, who had an eagle tattoo on
his right chest and another on his left arm with the word Sulut
-- an abbreviation for North Sulawesi -- was one of his
subordinates.

Hercules went to the morgue with Abraham Lunggano, a resident
of Jatibaru.

The clash erupted at 11 p.m. after local residents were
incensed by rumors that a Timorese -- who helped them extinguish
a fire which gutted houses Wednesday -- had stolen some
belongings, H.S. Witono, one of the residents, said.

The rumors apparently offended a group of Timorese, who
claimed they were subordinates of Hercules and went to Jatibaru
to investigate the rumors, he said.

A barrage of stones were hurled in the area's small alleys and
300 personnel from Jakarta Military Command and 100 police
officers were deployed about midnight to quell the dispute.

The head of Central Jakarta Police precinct, Lt. Col. M.
Ibrahim, said security personnel would remain in the area for
another two or three days to prevent further clashes.

"Nobody was detained and an investigation into the cause of
the clash is underway," Ibrahim said.

"Some people have deliberately used the existence of different
groups in this area for their own interests by spreading certain
rumors."

Aman Abrurachman, head of the community neighborhood
association, said residents living in Kampung Bali were afraid of
possible retaliation.

Yesterday, housewives shopping at Kebon Jati market rushed
home to tell the men to be on alert because they noticed the
group, who attacked them Thursday, preparing sharp weapons.

"They look like they want to start a war. But if they dare
cross into this area, we'll fight them like hell," Aman said.

Jakarta Military spokesman Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi said
yesterday that Ambassador at Large for East Timor Affairs Lopes
da Cruz and East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, who
happened to be in the city, also visited the morgue but could not
identify the body.

He said that one of Hercules' subordinates was wounded in the
clash.

"Just before the incident happened, the Jatibaru residents
shouted: 'Timorese... Timorese' at four Timorese youths passing
along Jl. Jatibaru."

The residents capture one of them, identified as Atay, who was
reportedly beaten with blunt objects and suffered severe head
wounds, he said

The head of City Council Commission B for economic affairs
Djafar Badjeber underlined the importance of maintaining security
in Tanah Abang, believed to be a den for the city's notorious
hoodlums.

"I urge the municipality and all related parties to maintain
control and order in Tanah Abang and crack down on all illegal
activities, ranging from gambling, prostitution and the
collection of illegal levies to illegal vendors operating in the
area.

"The operation against hoodlums in Tanah Abang must be
conducted consistently in order to eliminate the root of the
problems.

"The officials must be strict in enforcing the law and avoid
any manipulative action such as collusion and corruption with
hoodlums."

The bottomline is do not do it halfheartedly, he added.

Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
reiterated yesterday that he would back up all city
administration efforts to put Tanah Abang in order.

Sjafrie also said that he would take stern action against
officers who gave protection to the hoodlums.

The head of the city public order office subdivision, Toha
Reno, said hoodlums were becoming a real threat to people living
in the Tanah Abang neighborhood.

The thugs' illegal activities have really disturbed the area,
he said.

"We cracked down on gambling and prostitution activities early
this month. But I think the local residents have run out of
patience in dealing with the hoodlums' activities there."

Most of the people living in Kampung Bali are scared that
hoodlums will take revenge, Toha said.

"That is why right now the Kampung Bali people are arming
themselves with weapons and alerting the community neighborhood
patrol."

Toha said Kampung Bali is primarily occupied by Betawi (Native
Jakartans) and the hoodlums have reportedly picked an ethnic
issue to spark the clashes.

"Therefore, it's our job as officials to maintain stability
and control of the area, so nobody gets hurt," Toha said.
(07/04/jun)