Jakarta Globe August 02, 2011
Violence Continues: FBR, PP Riot in South Jakarta
Members of two of Indonesia’s most notorious organizations marked the beginning of Ramadan with a brawl on the outskirts of Jakarta on Tuesday.
Dozens of members of the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) clashed with Pemuda Pancasila (PP) on Jalan Margonda Raya, which dissects South Jakarta and Depok, SCTV reported.
Police have yet to disperse the groups, which often employ thug-like behavior without fear of prosecution by Indonesian authorities.
Members of the FBR, recently in the news for attempting to intimidate Greenpeace Indonesia as it does battle with the country’s palm oil companies, chased members of PP with bats and sharp weapons.
They also set fire to a building owned by a member of PP, headed by Yapto Soerjosumarno, a long term fried of the family of former dictator Suharto.
Police claimed the altercation was based on a misunderstanding.
A man claiming to be an FBR member reportedly removed a PP banner during its national meeting. Unhappy, PP complained to the FBR who replied that they would never do such a thing. Violence ensued.
Depok Police are on stand-by to anticipate any possible retaliation from PP.
Jakarta has been rocked by gang warfare and lawlessness recently.
di 2 aug 2011 - 8:15