Zaky Pawas, Arientha Primanita & Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jakarta – Legally recognized civilian organizations had no right to resort to anarchy, House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie said on Sunday following a vicious brawl that brought traffic in South Jakarta to a standstill.
He said police must clamp down on groups like the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR).
Marzuki's comment came a day after three people were injured and traffic in many parts of South Jakarta was frozen during the riot involving members of the FBR, which was also blamed for a string of fires in Tangerang. The group is known for thuggery at all manner of demonstrations across the city.
"The freedom to organize comes with the obligation to follow procedures, as outlined by our laws," Marzuki said.
"So an organization like the FBR cannot resort to anarchy when they feel like it. It is dangerous if we allow them to behave this way, and basically do anything they want. The police must show that no organization is immune to our regulations," he said.
House Deputy Speaker Taufik Kurniawan said police seemed unwilling to enforce the law when it came to such unruly groups.
"We are not aiming to limit people's freedom to organize. But police must act against organizations that are clearly breaking the law," Taufik said.
Police detained 32 members of the FBR after Saturday night's clash and have declared four of them suspects. "The suspect count could grow. They have violated Article 170 of the Indonesian Criminal Code on mobs," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said on Sunday.
He said that the article carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
At least 15 motorcycles were burned in Saturday's clash, which broke out at 7:30p.m. FBR spokesman Fajri Husein claimed they only struck back after one of their members was attacked.
"Someone attacked one of our own as he was returning from the FBR's ninth anniversary event in Depok," he said. "If your family is attacked, you would stand up and defend them, correct?"
Fajri rejected claims the FBR was a violent group.
South Jakarta Police chief of detectives Comr. Nurdi Satriaji said the clash started when a member of the FBR, identified as Aditya, was allegedly beaten by seven men believed to be members of Pemuda Pancasila, a group whose activities range from security services to land clearing for businesses on Jalan Pahlawan in South Tangerang.
"The seven men attacked Aditya, according to him, without any clear reasons," Nurdi said. "He suffered wounds above his eye and a swollen lip. Aditya then went and told his buddies at FBR. They got their masses ready to take revenge.
"Somehow locals on the streets got involved and the brawl escalated with them stoning one another. Then they started burning motorcycles. Police arrived and had to use tear gas to disperse the crowds."
Nurdi said the police had the situation under control by 8:15 p.m., but somehow the fighting had started up again nearby.
"At about 9 p.m. members of the FBR vandalized the offices of legal consultant Djonny Wiyandiono, who represents the Pemuda Pancasila, on Jalan Bintaro Raya," Nurdi said. "
The masses burned four motorcycles and a Nissan van. Thirty minutes later they burned another motorcycle. The motorist was lucky to escape with his life."
Nurdi said the clashes spread to Jalan Arteri Pondok Indah, causing massive traffic jams. The clashes on the thoroughfare involved FBR members dueling with members of the Betawi Communication Forum (Forkabi), another organization.
Boy Rafli said Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Timur Pradopo met leaders of the FBR, Forkabi and Pemuda Pancasila on Sunday to discuss how to calm tensions.