Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung on Tuesday urged residents not to be provoked by ethnic issues following a deadly clash in Central Jakarta, stressing that Indonesia's capital remains an open and diverse city.
"Jakarta is a very open city. Its diversity has been well maintained, and I do not want to see issues related to ethnicity emerge in Jakarta," Pramono told reporters at City Hall.
His remarks came after a violent confrontation on Sunday in the Jalan Tambak area of Menteng, Central Jakarta, that left one person dead, another critically injured, and several properties damaged.
Pramono called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve disputes peacefully.
"I ask everyone to remain calm and settle any problems with a cool head. Hopefully Jakarta will remain safe and comfortable," he said.
The violence destroyed a semi-permanent building and four motorcycles, according to local authorities.
Following the incident, community leaders and representatives of the victims' families agreed to help maintain public order and leave the legal process to the police.
Jakarta Police have named seven suspects in connection with the unrest, dividing the investigation into two separate criminal cases.
Four suspects face charges related to the destruction of food vendors' carts, while three others have been charged over the fatal assault that resulted in one death.
Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto said the rival groups had since reached a peace agreement but assured the criminal investigation would continue.
"Both sides have reconciled, but the legal process will continue under the Jakarta Metropolitan Police. They have entrusted the entire legal process to us," Budi said on Monday evening.
He added that no further violence had been reported after the agreement, which was witnessed by family members, neighborhood leaders, and lawyers representing the victim's family.
Police said the clash was allegedly triggered by residents' anger over the actions of a group of youths from a particular ethnic community who were accused of vandalizing a food stall. What began as a localized dispute escalated into broader street violence.
The Jalan Tambak and neighboring Manggarai areas have long experienced periodic clashes between local groups, with disputes often fueled by the districts' high population density and underlying social tensions.
The city government and police said they are working to prevent further unrest while ensuring that those responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the law.