R

iots 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, South Sulawesi, to Ambon to help safeguard the area and claimed that the 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 [traffic] accident as confirmed by an autopsy.”

He explained that 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.

Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu said he expected the police could investigate the cause of the clash.

“I have asked Maluku Police Chief Brig. Gen. Syarief Gunawan and Ambon Police Chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Djoko Susilo to investigate this case as soon as possible to prevent similar incident from happening in other areas,”
he said.

He also instructed Ambon residents not to be easily provoked by rumors.

Maluku Police Chief Brig. Gen. Syarief Gunawan, Deputy Governor Said Assagaf and Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy along with his deputy Sam Latuconsina and other community figures were reportedly meeting with residents in some spots where the riots took place to calm them down.