Yuliasri Perdani, Jakarta – National Police chief Gen. Sutarman says that the clash between police officers and soldiers in Karawang, West Java, on Tuesday was triggered by nothing but a misunderstanding.
Speaking at National Police headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, Sutarman said the clash did not reflect tensions between the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI).
"Oftentimes, such clashes are incited by personal problems, such as fighting over a microphone [in a karaoke outlet] or fighting over a girlfriend. Therefore, their respective commanders must promote togetherness among police officers and soldiers by holding joint events, such as sporting events," he said.
On Tuesday, soldiers from the Army Infantry Battalion (Yonif) 305 stormed members of the police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) who were guarding a protest rally in front of the Karawang regent's office.
The furious soldiers went on to destroy a police post in front of the Karawang Mega Mall. Six Brimob personnel sustained injuries in the attack.
The soldiers launched their attack following a quarrel between a soldier and a policeman earlier in the day. The policeman reportedly stared at the soldier, who was not in uniform while the latter dropped his wife off at her office, which was in the Karawang Legislative Council.
Later on, the two men became involved in a fight. The incident prompted local police and TNI officers to gather for a meeting at the Karawang regent's office. The meeting, however, failed to reduce the anger among the Yonif 305 personnel.
Sutarman said that he and TNI commander Gen. Moeldoko had agreed to take stern action against those involved in the attack. "We are coordinating the matter with the TNI commander. We will crack down on anyone who has violated the law," adding that the case would be handled by the Military Police.
Tuesday's clash was just the latest in a series of similar incidents involving police and military personnel this year. On Oct. 18, six Brimob officers clashed with four Army personnel at a karaoke outlet in Depok on the outskirts of Jakarta.
Earlier in March, dozens of soldiers stormed and set fire to the Ogan Komering Ulu Police station in South Sumatra. As a result, four police officers were seriously injured and a janitor died.
That incident began with a protest by soldiers at the police station demanding severe punishment be imposed against traffic policeman Brig Wijaya, who had shot and killed a soldier, First Pvt. Heru Oktavianus, over a personal matter.