Row leading to attack on apartment settled

JAKARTA (JP): A dispute between management of the Taman Rasuna Apartments and local residents has been peacefully settled following a recent attack on the building, a police officer said on Sunday.

"The apartment management has agreed to let the residents play badminton again in the open space within the apartment compound," chief of the South Jakarta Police criminal investigation unit, First Insp. Siswono, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

"The case is closed and has been settled peacefully. No further action would be taken over the case anymore," he remarked.

Hundreds of local youths reportedly attacked several parts of the four building towers late on Tuesday several hours after apartment security officers asked them not to play badminton on apartment property.

Windows of the towers' lobby and garden lamps were damaged, while two security officer posts were also destroyed.

One security officer named Robby reportedly suffered a light injury to his left arm after being attacked with a sword.

A three-meter high iron sheet fence seals the apartment complex main entrance from the residential area.

The attackers brought down the fence and entered the apartment complex during the rampage.

"Usually, the people can play in the open space as long as it does not disrupt the tenants.

"The security officers decided to prevent them on that day, despite locals asking permission to play inside the compound approximately three times a week," officer Siswono said.

"Although the management has the right to restrict people to play on their property, they should have done that long time ago, not suddenly, which only provokes people to run amok," he added. (dja)