T

he police said on Tuesday that officers arrested 13 people allegedly involved in brawls between the local arms of two mass organizations in South Tangerang: the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) and the Pancasila Youth (PP).

The first brawl occurred in Sudimara in Ciputat, South Tangerang, on Monday, after which officers from Ciputat precinct arrested 13 FBR members.

“All 13 were taken directly to South Jakarta Police [headquarters] for questioning,” Ciputat precinct commander Comr. Alip told The Jakarta Post over the telephone.

According to Alip, the detainees were seen taking down Pancasila Youth banners before they were apprehended.

Separately, South Jakarta Police spokesman Adj. Comr. Aswin Sipayung confirmed the arrests, declining to discuss the investigation. “We are still questioning the detainees. The investigation is still ongoing.”

South Jakarta Police operations chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yossie Paulus said that officers confiscated three crates of Molotov cocktails and several edged weapons, as reported by kompas.com.

A second brawl between the groups took place in Ciledug, South Tangerang, on Monday, injuring one FBR and one PP member.

Ciledug precinct commander Comr. Sukiman said that officers have questioned several people in connection with the brawl. “All were sent home because the evidence was not strong enough,” he said.

The clashes on Monday were the latest in a string of brawls between mass organizations in Greater Jakarta.

In 2011 alone, there were at least seven such brawls, including a clash between the FBR and the PP in Depok, West Java, that spanned from July 31 to August 3 and left three PP members hospitalized. The motives of several of these brawls were unclear.

Members of the FBR and a group from Flores also clashed in a dense residential area in Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta, in January 2010.

Members of the FBR also fought with several public bus management companies at Pulogadung
bus terminal, East Jakarta, on April 4, 2011.

The clash was allegedly incited by sale of an overpriced ticket to an FBR member.

On May 23, another fracas took place between FBR members and the Kembang Latar organization at the gates of the Lebak Bulus bus terminal in South Jakarta.

FBR members were also involved in a scuffle at Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, around a month later, this time squaring off against members of the Betawi Communications Forum (Forkabi).

Both the FBR and Forkabi are infamous for members who allegedly operate protection rackets targeting businesses and for street brawls involving their members. (mim)