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akmania, the nickname of supporters of Persija Jakarta soccer club, and their rival fans of Persib Bandung called Bobotoh, pledged to end their mutual hostility by signing a letter of peace in Bogor Police headquarters on Friday.

The move was regarded as the first step in reconciliation efforts between the two sides whose altercations in the past have often erupted into violent clashes resulting in injuries and fatalities.

'€œIt is only the beginning of a long journey of reconciliation for Jakmania and Bobotoh,'€ West Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul said.

He said that one of the initial steps recommended in the reconciliation process was the eradication of abusive ethnic taunts between the two sides.

Abas, a representative of Jakmania, said that they had previously initiated reconciliation efforts but to no avail.

He said the Bobotoh had refused to meet them.

'€œIn 2004 and 2006 for example, Jakmania initiated reconciliation meetings with Bobotoh but they did not turn up,'€ he told reporters.

Jakmania and Bobotoh are notorious for their excessive, and at times lethal, mutual loathing.

On March 12, 2002, a total of 14 Bobotoh members suffered injuries after 30 members of Jakmania attacked a Bobotoh convoy at Tomang toll gate in West Jakarta.

The incident came ironically after the two sides had participated in a television quiz show that morning. They had been invited to the TV show with the aim of fostering better relations between the two sides.

On July 10, 2010, Jakmania and Viking, a Bobotoh subgroup, clashed when Persija performed a trial match at Gunung Putri in Bogor, West Java. Three Vikings suffered serious injuries.

On May 27, 2012, Jakmania and Viking were involved in a brawl at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta, which left three dead and several others injured. Jakarta police later arrested five suspects.

Because of the terrible history between the two sides, matches between the teams are often canceled, delayed or moved to a neutral venue.

The most recent postponement was on Feb. 22. PT Liga Indonesia called off the match scheduled for the Jalak Harupat stadium in Bandung because West Java Police refused to issue a permit.

The authorities said they were wary of Bobotoh attacking Jackmania in revenge for the stoning of the Persib team bus when they played in Jakarta in June, 2013.

Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Sudjarno told reporters that the Jakarta Police, in cooperation with the West Java Police, would oversee the implementation of the pledge and he encouraged all parties involved to raise public awareness about the pledge.

'€œThe Jakarta Police will issue match permits if the two sides stick by their pledges,'€ he said.

He added that the next match between Persija and Persib on May 8 would give them a chance to evaluate whether the pledge really worked.

'€œI am optimistic that with this pledge, the May 8 match will run smoothly,'€ he said. (ask)

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