Markus Junianto Sihaloho & Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – A leading figure in the eastern Indonesian community residing in Jakarta has alleged that powerful puppet masters were behind the deadly clashes outside a court house in the capital on Wednesday.
In disturbing scenes that far removed from Indonesia's status as a member of the G-20 major economies, two rival gangs fought each other in pitched battles with firearms and machetes. Three people were shot and hacked to death, a dozen people injured, three police offices suffered gunshot wounds and public vehicle vandalized during the anarchy on Jalan Ampera Raya in South Jakarta.
Robert B. Keytimu, of Ambonese ethnicity, said "certain people" in power were behind the clashes between an Ambonese gang headed by John Kei and a rival Flores group.
He said it was suspicious that police had failed to foresee and prevent the deadly brawls leading to allegations that senior politicians or members of the security forces were intent on stoking violence.
"There must be intellectual actors behind the brawl. I cannot elaborate on who they are. But the police must focus on arresting them," Robert said after a closed-door meeting with La Ode Ida, deputy chairman of the Regional Representative Council.
La Ode Ida said the DPD would mediate the two groups involved in the brawl by inviting them to a meeting that would likely be held on Oct. 3 or Oct. 4. La Ode said the meeting was aimed at calming the situation by bring the two groups together to discuss the issues.
"We will bring them to find solutions over the problems between themselves. We hope, in the future, they can prevent themselves from being involved in similar fights," he said.
The fight broke out as two people from the Flores ethnic group were about to stand trial for their role in a brawl in April at the Blowfish nightclub in South Jakarta where two people died.
April's incident pitted the Flores group against a rival gang from Ambon, Maluku, both of which were vying for control of security and protection rackets in South Jakarta.
The South Jakarta District Court, meanwhile, has refused to bow to threats of violence by the groups of thugs and says it will continue with the trial.
"The trial should stay in the court to show independency in the case. If we moved the trial venue to the police station, it would spark allegations that we offered protection to a particular side," said Kamari, security coordinator with the court.
On Wednesday, Kamari said he was considering moving the trial to the South Jakarta District Court. He said security would be increased.