Riots break out in Ambon, three killed

The Jakarta Post | Sun, 09/11/2011 11:46 PM


Riots broke out in Ambon on Sunday, claiming three lives and injuring 60 others following a rumor that an ojek (motor taxi) driver was tortured to death by another group of residents in the city.

Three people were killed as police fired shots to stop the riots. They were identified as Sahrun Ely, Djefry Siahaan, and Cliford Belegur. Several cars were also set on fire.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said police had deployed 200 mobile brigade forces from Makassar to Ambon to help safeguard the area and claimed that situation was under control as of Sunday evening.

“The riots broke out because of a rumor saying that Darmin Saiman, an ojek driver from Waihaong sub district, died of torture in the Mount Nona area,” Anton said as quoted by Antara news agency. “The fact was he died from a single [traffic] accident as confirmed by an autopsy.”

He explained Darmin was involved in a traffic accident in the Mt. Nona area of Nusaniwe district on Saturday evening and the Tahutey family brought him to the hospital, but he died on the way, triggering rumors of torture.

Riots ensued after Darmin’s funeral, initially taking place in Mangga Dua area, but soon spreading to other areas in Ambon.

Anton said police, military officers, community figures, religious leaders, and the governor had coordinated to reinstate the condition of the capital of Maluku after the riot.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto said Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralalahalu had reported that everything was under control and that the riot did not spread to other areas as of 4.50 p.m.

“All regional leaders and community figures will hold a meeting again tonight to talk about this situation,” he said.

The Jakarta Post | Sun, 09/11/2011

Riots in Ambon

Two people died in a massive brawl at the area of Tanah Lapang Kecil in Ambon on Sunday afternoon. The two victims died at the Dr. M Haulussy city hospital. Both sustained gunshot wounds allegedly from riot police officers who tried to disperse the brawl.

"More than 18 people suffered gunshot wounds, cuts and bruises. They have been treated here, but two of them died. The remains of the deceased have been taken by their relatives," said spokeswoman to the Haulussy hospital, Dr. Ita Sabrina, as quoted by kompas.com on Sunday.

The dead victims are identified as Djefry Siahaan who sustained a shot wound in his stomach and Cliford Belegur who got shot in his left chest.

According to an information from kompas.com's reader, Clarasia Anggraeni, Djefry is a teacher who works in Ambon, while Cliford is a high school student of SMU 12 Ambon, according to his father, Chali Belegur.

Ita said that most of the victims were allowed to go home. Only few have to undergo further treatment at the hospital, including one victim who is now in critical condition.

Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu said that as of 9 p.m. local time, the authorities had controlled the situation.

He called on the residents to hold back and steer away from provocation.

Police said that the brawl involving two groups in the community was triggered by a fatal traffic accident that caused a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver, named Darkin Saimen, who lost control of his motorcycle and hit a house belongs to a house, named Okto.

Darkin died at the hospital, but rumors swirled around that he was murdered.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Bahrul Alam said that the result of the autopsy showed that Darkin was died of the wounds he sustained because of the accident.

"According to witnesses, doctors did not find any sign of violence. So, he died because of his wound," Anton said.

The clash later took place between two groups who pelted stones and damaged some public facilities.

Anton declined to name the warring groups, but hinted "Those groups have long known [for their hostility one to each other]..We don't want to mention the groups, but we assure that we are now in control of the situation."