Nurfika Osman & Camelia Pasandaran – As students continued to clash with police in Makassar on Friday after four officers were arrested the day before for attacking students, National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri delivered an apology in Jakarta for any possible wrongdoing by his staff in the South Sulawesi capital.

"If mistakes are made by my members in the field, I apologize," he said. "But for sure, there is no effort from police to pit people against our university friends from the HMI [Islamic Students Association]. There was only miscommunication."

The unrest began on Wednesday as protests over the Bank Century scandal escalated. Students squared off with police amid accusations that police officers attacked the HMI's secretariat building on Wednesday night. Five students were reportedly injured.

Hundreds of students, citizens and police clashed again on Thursday and Friday.

Bambang said police have taken steps to resolve the conflict. "We've coordinate well with the leaders of HMI," he said. "If there is any violation by police against our friends from HMI, we will sanction the officer if he is proven to be guilty. We also have asked our friends from the HMI to support police in all areas."

"The problem was solved" on Thursday, he said, calling for calm. "Parties should not create any more problems."

South Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Chief Comr. Heri Subiansauri told the Jakarta Globe on Friday that four officers were arrested the day before. "They are now being questioned," he said.

"Last night we talked with the HMI and other students from Makassar State University. We told them that we are going to investigate the case and they agreed to stop the demonstrations." However, he said some students would likely remain dissatisfied with the agreement.

"We suspect there are students who will provoke demonstrations," he said. "We suspect [Friday's] demonstration had been planned since last night."

The protest blocked major thoroughfares in the city. Two cars, including one police vehicle and some motorcycles were damaged by students and residents. Provincial police deployed about 500 personnel to secure the area and prevent escalation. South Sulawesi Police Chief Insp. Gen. Adang Rochjana and Makassar Police Chief Gatta Chairuddin took to the streets to calm demonstrators, but they were pelted with rocks.

"People were throwing stones at them, but they are fine," he said.

The police were armed with shields, batons, tear gas and a water cannon. "We have enough evidence to investigate the case and have several names with us," Heri said.

The student antigovernment demonstrations began in a number of universities in Makassar on Wednesday with students also damaging and blocking public roads.

Students from Alauddin State Islamic University even threw rocks at the local police headquarters and damaged motorcycles parked in front of the building. They also blocked Jalan Alauddin, a main traffic artery.