Two detained for 'provoking riot'
JAKARTA (JP): Two men have been detained for their alleged involvement in a riot Sunday in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, where a house, an office, several stalls, five cars and a motorcycle were damaged.
East Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Syahrir Kuba said yesterday that the two men, identified only as Al and D, were arrested for allegedly provoking a crowd of residents.
"Al was believed to be the one who encouraged the crowd to attack the house and a branch office of the Communication Forum of Indonesian Veteran's Children (FKPPI)," Syahrir told The Jakarta Post.
He said the riot started about 1 a.m. Sunday following a dispute between some members of the police-sponsored Neighborhood Communication System (Siskomas) -- who were also members of the veteran's forum -- and local residents staging an illegal motorcycle race along Jl. RS Soekanto in Malaka Sari district.
The incident was sparked after residents objected to the Siskomas members attempting to stop the youths from speeding along the street, Syahrir said.
"The Siskomas activities are to help police maintain law and order in their respective areas.
"So it's not strange that they tried to stop the race. Racing along the street is not allowed because it's dangerous not only for the participants but also for other people who use the street."
Syahrir rejected some press reports which stated earlier that Siskomas members used samurai, pieces of wood and stones to force the motorcyclists off the street.
"That's not true. Apparently (the reporters) did not double check the information they collected from local people with us."
He also rejected reports that one of the alleged speedsters, a local called Budi Agustianto, was killed by Siskomas personnel.
The reports said that Budi, who did not wear a helmet, fell off his motorcycle after being hit in the head by Siskomas members. He died at Pondok Kopi Hospital in East Jakarta.
Syahrir explained that Budi fell off his motorcycle because he lost his balance after members of Siskomas blocked his path.
He said he regretted the riot.
"They should not... vent their anger over the death of one of the racers by attacking others based on suspicion." (cst)