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)