Jakarta Administration spokesman Cucu Ahmad Kurnia confirmed that two public order officials had died in the worst unrest in the capital since the 1998 riots.

“M. Tajudin died while in treatment” at the Koja Hospital while another, Susno, was found in the complex of the Tanjung Priok port operator PT Pelindo, he said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono spoke on television late Wednesday appealing for calm after  a day of  clashes in Koja.

He urged the administration “to seek a solution” to the problem and ensure security in the area to avoid anyone “fishing in murky waters.”

The incidents took place since 7 a.m. when hundreds of public order officers clashed head-to-head against hundreds of Koja residents,  who had been guarding the complex since the night before.

The residents, who opposed the eviction plan, said it would be an insult for Muslims who see the place as sacred as it used to be the grave of the Muslim historical figure Arif Billah Hasan bin Muhammad Al Haddad, known as Mbah Priok.

Deputy Governor Prijanto said the cemetery complex was to be “renovated.”

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said six police buses, four trucks, four agency vehicles and one water cannon were severely damaged and burned.

Koja Hospital director Fauzi Asman said the hospital treated 87 people, including 57 public order officers, 11 police officers and 19 residents.  He said seven had serious wounds requiring surgery.

Prijanto — representing Governor Fauzi Bowo who was in mourning due to his father’s death — publicly apologized on the matter.

“I apologize for the clash. I have asked the public order agency to stop their action since 3 p.m.”

Prijanto also said he had ordered agency head Haryanto Badjuri to  pull his men back from the clash site.

“I hope the public will calm down. I called [North Jakarta] deputy mayor, police chief and also Haryanto to stop the action,” he said.

However, the situation heated up again later in the day after a negotiation among leaders of the protesters, police officers and public order officers deadlocked. The situation  worsened as the public gained support from groups including the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR).

Cucu claimed the city had tried persuasion. “The land seizure will be delayed until the negotiation is concluded,” he said.

Cucu also said the clash was triggered by the spreading of rumors about the administration’s proposed action to dismantle the tomb, which had angered residents and supporters of the family claiming to be the heirs of Mbah Priok.

As of late Wednesday, 2,000 public order officers and 600 police officers had been deployed to the area, Cucu added.

The clash was triggered by a dispute over a plot of land between state-owned PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) II and the heirs of Mbah Priok.

The disputed land — consisting of a 20-square-meter memorial complex and a 300-square meter area with illegal buildings — is located on a 145-hectare plot  in Koja. Pelindo claims to be  the legal owner.

Prijanto had said Pelindo had certificates proving title to the land and had won a legal battle at the North Jakarta District Court in 2002. He said the heirs of Mbah Priok did not appeal until the appeal period expired, so losing their case.

Prijanto said Pelindo later asked the city to help dismantle the illegal buildings because the company wanted to turn the area into a container terminal.

City councilors urged governor Fauzi to immediately replace public order agency head Badjuri for failing to control his subordinates. 

Bloody defense: Residents armed with machetes and other sharp weapons clash with police and public order officers in Koja, North Jakarta, on Wednesday. They staunchly opposed the demolition of a historic memorial site, while rioting continued into late in the evening. JP/J. Adiguna

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