Two detained for 'provoking riot'

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)