City administration asks ethnic leaders to calm tension

In response to the deadly inter-ethnic clash in South Jakarta on Wednesday, the city administration gathered on Friday night leaders of ethnic groups living in Jakarta, asking them to help prevent communal clashes from occurring.

"We will discuss it [the incident] in the meeting," Vice Governor Prijanto said.

Aside from representatives of ethnic-based groups, city police chief Insp. Gen. Timur Pradopo, city council speaker Ferrial Sofyan, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Marciano Norman and leaders of several political parties attended the meeting.

People from Flores and Ambon ethnic groups clashed outside the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday, leaving three people killed. Widely circulated rumors say the clash was allegedly triggered by a long-standing conflict between the two groups over concession on security business in the city.