Jakarta – Jakarta Police Chief Major General Nurfaizi has appealed to warring gangs in East Jakarta, who were still fighting yesterday, to stop their continual clashes.

The Berlan gang and Palmeriam gang, separated by Jalan Matraman Raya, frequently clash and end up damaging shops, restaurants, stalls and houses along the road.

The latest clash took place yesterday, leaving at least 13 buildings burned down. On Saturday, eight companies of police were sent in to stop an earlier incident, but the gangs' members ignored them and carried on fighting.

The clashes have been taking place on-and-off for more than 20 years. Nurfaizi said it is difficult to get the warring parties to put down their knives and stones, and concentrate on establishing peace and harmony.

East Jakarta Mayor Andi Mappaganti, who accompanied Nurfaizi on his visit to the restive area yesterday, said only police can restore peace and order. Nurfaizi met with representatives from each gang and told them that police would not always be around to stop the unrest.

"The turfs of the two groups here are small, and you are only separated by Jalan Matraman. So if all of you are willing to fight each other night and day, then the government, cannot take steps to help you," he said.

Arson

During the clash on Saturday night, locals burned down the Melania Hospital, which is mainly a maternity clinic; the Lautan Berlian car showroom; and two restaurants. Smoke from the fires was still visible yesterday afternoon.

Firemen were unable to extinguish the blazes quickly, because when they arrived in five fire-engines, locals hurled stones at them, injuring some of them and damaging the vehicles. "We are angry with everyone – the government, the Palmeriam gang, and anyone who supports our enemies," said Bes, a youth from Berlan. "You can see that any wounded guys from Palmeriam were sent directly to Carolus Catholic Hospital, instead of to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Certain persons pay their hospital bills."

Traffic Cops

There are four U-turns on Jalan Matraman where locals, either from Palmeriam or Berlan, try to make money by acting as illegal traffic police. It is unclear which gangs control how many U- turns, as gang members give different information.

Usually they take two U-turns each, but if one gang takes over a third U-turn due to superior power, the other gang loses face, and a clash will inevitably result. "If locals hear bells ringing and power-line poles being beaten non-stop, they will know it's time to come out of their houses equipped with machetes, swords, knives and iron bars, ready to fight," said Eko, another Berlan youth.

Bes said if mikrolet (public passenger minivan) drivers refuse to pass down Jalan Matraman and go to Palmeriam, it is another indication that a clash is about to take place. He said locals really enjoy a good fight because they can take money from burning restaurants or steal good quality tires from car showrooms.