Ronna Nirmala & Zaky Pawas – Politicians and city officials were horrified when a group of mourners at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Central Jakarta were attacked by members of a rival gang on Thursday morning, killing two people.
"There is an act of gangstery occurring right in front of our eyes, in a hospital that is supposed to be guarded to create the feeling of safety and comfort," House of Representatives deputy speaker Priyo Budi Santoso said.
The Golkar Party politician said that such an incident at a facility owned by the military showed that thugs in Jakarta had shown no fear of authorities and law enforcers. He called on police to get tough on gangs operating in the capital.
"If it happened elsewhere in a market we would just feel sorry but not be shocked like we are now," Priyo said.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said the incident occurred at 1.30 a.m. on Thursday when a group of some 20 thugs from the Jemi Berhitu gang were mourning the death of Bobby Sahusasilawane, who died at the hospital after an illness.
Armed with machetes and swords, another group of 50 people came in eight taxis and attacked the mourners. Stendli Wenno and Ricky Kutuboy died and four others were badly injured.
"We are still investigating the motive," Rikwanto said. "It is likely that the attack was planned because [the attackers] had prepared weapons."
Jakarta Police chief detective Adj. Sr. Comr. Herry Heryawan said police questioned the suspected leader of the attackers identified as Edward Tupessy, a.k.a. Edo Kiting. At the Jakarta Police headquarters, Edo said he did not attack members of the Jemi gang and said he had come to the hospital to mourn Bobby's death.
Jemi gang member Rudy Papilaya said that prior to the incident, Edo had argued with another Jemi gang member named Jefry Kailola. Edo insisted he had gone to the hospital to offer condolences to Bobby's family. "I even shook the hand of Jefry Kailola. It happened so fast I didn't know [the attackers]," he said.
The attack came after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made a speech to "leave no room for thuggery" and "the state must not lose to thuggery." "But just 20 hours later, this group of thugs came and attacked another group inside a hospital belonging to the army," Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmaker T.B. Hasanuddin said. "Thugs must be eradicated from top to bottom."
Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said he was concerned with the recent brawls. "All citizens in civic organizations or other groups must maintain unity. That is our most valuable asset," he said.
National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Sutarman said that police would not hesitate in using force to handle gang-related brawls. "When we encounter situations posing threats to society, we won't hesitate in using weapons," he said.
The incident came after the Jakarta Police shot and arrested notorious gang leader John Kei last week. John is believed to be responsible for the death of a businessman.
In Bali's Kerobokan prison, an inmate was stabbed by rival gang members, paving the way for a series of riots this week.
[With additional reporting from Fidelis E. Satriastanti & Ezra Sihite.]