T. Abang clash due to 'lack of understanding'
T. Abang clash due to 'lack of understanding'
JAKARTA (JP): City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie
Sjamsoeddin has called Tuesday's clash between Kebon Melati
residents in Tanah Abang and Irian Jaya youths a
"misunderstanding".
"The situation is now under control. I checked on the location
myself when the clash happened," he said Wednesday.
Sjafrie urged Tanah Abang residents and all Jakartans not to
take the law into their own hands.
"If people could control their emotions and anger, handle
themselves properly, these kind of things would not happen," he
said.
Three people, including a local senior military officer, were
injured in the clash between local residents and Irian Jaya
youths living at the Cendrawasih dormitory.
Six hundred and fifty riot officers from the Central Jakarta
Police and the Jakarta Military Command, were dispatched to Jl.
KH. Mas Mansyur to control the brawl.
The injured victims were rushed to nearby Pelni Hospital in
Petamburan for treatment.
They were identified as Tanah Abang Subdistrict Military
Command Chief Capt. Wayan S. and civilians Hepi Suryadi and Budi.
A truck was burned in the incident.
Police confiscated four arrows, believed to be poisonous, from
the Irian Jaya youths.
The Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah said Tuesday
that the clash was not related to earlier clashes in the area.
"Please don't mix this with other Tanah Abang issues. This is
merely a misunderstanding between our brothers," he said.
But he confirmed that police and military officers have
identified those who allegedly started the clash. Among them were
Syahroni of Kebon Melati, Jaelani who lived next door to the
Cendrawasih dormitory, and a former Armed Forces Special Command
corporal Adjat.
"We didn't detain them for questioning because we need more
evidence," he said.
The commotion was believed to have been sparked by PT
Mondial's cleaning activities. PT Mondial's office is located
near the dormitory.
When some of the workers burned the garbage, Kebon Melati
residents mistakenly regarded it as an attempt at arson conducted
by the dorm's occupants.
The Kebon Melati residents then flocked to the dormitory and
threw homemade bombs.
The clash was brought under control at about 11 p.m. when
leading figures from both sides were asked to calm down the
group.
A dialog was held to find the cause of the problem. Local
residents and the Irianese later agreed to carry out an
integrated night watch, monitored by security officers.
When asked to comment on the recent spate of clashes in Tanah
Abang, Sjafrie said the incident was just a "micro" case.
"Those clashes happened to express anger and dissatisfaction.
This must be stopped. If we give leniency and ignore these
issues, it could disrupt unity.
"I pledge to punish every officer or any other party found
guilty in the Tanah Abang clash. I will not defend culprits or
any of my officials," he added. (edt/04)