Jakarta – Members of the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) reportedly clashed again with rivals from Pemuda Pancasila (PP) on Friday, this time purportedly over the protection of a durian stall on Jl. Rawasari in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta.
Three clashes took place between the two civil society organizations on Jl. Percetakan Negara in Johar Baru, also in Central Jakarta, throughout the day. After the first fracas at 4 a.m., the two groups clashed again at 10 a.m. and then again at around 2:30 p.m.
"According to information, members of both organizations asked a durian seller for protection money. The seller felt it would be difficult if he had to pay both of them," Johar Baru district chief Sujanto Budiroso said as quoted by beritajakarta.com newsportal.
The durian seller told the FBR of his problem, which enraged them and led to the series of clashes.
In the latest clash, starting at around 2:30 p.m., members of the two organizations reportedly threw rocks at each other, some of which hit a passerby. Jl. Percetakan Negara was closed during the violent scuffle, to avoid damage to passing vehicles, creating a severe backup all the way to Jl. Salemba Raya.
It took 50 Mobile Brigade officers in full armor from the Central Jakarta Police two hours to disperse the men. The police fired tear gas into the air three times before the mob scattered in the direction of Rawasari and Senen.
No one was detained and Jl. Percetakan Negara was re-opened to vehicles in the evening. Friday's brawl was the latest scuffle between the two organizations. Earlier this month, members of the two groups were involved in a series of turf clashes over several districts in South Jakarta. At least 13 people were detained and three crates of Molotov cocktails and several sharp weapons were confiscated.
Central Jakarta deputy mayor Fatahillah said he regretted Friday's incident. "I have instructed Johar Baru district, Cempaka Putih district and Senen district to increase surveillance of civil society organizations' offices in their respective regions," Fatahillah said. "[The most important thing is] that residents feel secure," he added.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto told The Jakarta Post on Friday that the police had tried to mediate between the two organizations.
"After the brawls in South Jakarta, the Jakarta Police chief set up a meeting between the FBR and the PP, during which he told them to help the police in making Jakarta a safe city," he said.He added that he hoped the two organizations would stop fighting as it bothered residents and disrupted traffic. (mim)