Rumble in Errr - CITOS?

While I was visiting “the Land Down Under” last week, a number of things happened here in Jakarta which have been commented on within other blogs.

These included more flooding due to high tides (so bloody predictable), the FPI (Thugs) setting upon Islamic moderates at a rally using canes to beat them, subsequent arrests by the police of said thugs, Treespotter’s dog Mowgli died (condolences) and Obama Mania struck again.

All of the above aside, one item which worried me was the fact that one of Jakarta’s busiest Malls was the site of a gangland turf war with members of “Basri” and a rival gang “Milton” hammering it out with each other in Cilandak Town Square, otherwise known a CITOS.

Samurai Swords, Cleavers and other assorted weaponry were used as what was termed a gathering at the Brew & Co Cafe to celebrate their peace agreement erupted into a scene from Apocalypse Now.



The mall is a favourite for Women and Children, wide open and airy with a moderate selection of shopping and eateries, the concept of gang warfare in this tranquil shopping centre is still one I cannot get my head around.

But, as always, in Jakarta there is a twist, usually accompanied by bullshit and lies. Let’s get on with the Bullshit and Lies first and get to the twist later.

As quoted in the Jakarta Post…”

A member of Citos building's management, Sulardi, (read Fuckwit) said security officers at the mall had checked incoming visitors using metal detectors. However, the gang managed to enter carrying sharp weapons.

This is both a blatant fairytale and bullshit of the highest order. There are no metal detectors at the mall and also, no way to install any as the entrance is wide open to pedestrian traffic at the front and back of the Mall. Sulardi was lying through his teeth!

Another classic case of “Indonesian Porky Pies” to suggest that Mall security had done all possible to prevent the violence.

Now for the twist! Again, from the Jakarta Post.

Reports from detik.com said earlier that day the two groups had an altercation at the Bona Indah elite housing complex in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

On Wednesday morning, Milton members went to the housing complex to collect Rp 200 million (US$21,505) in debts from Basri members, who reportedly refused to pay the debt.

The housing complex security guards then took the two groups to the Cilandak Police station.

At the station, they made an agreement, saying Basri should pay Rp 110 million to Milton, while the remaining Rp 90 million would be paid later, according to Makmur.

After the settlement, he said, at around 2 p.m., the two gangs held a gathering at the Brew&Co Caf‚ to celebrate their peace agreement, when a brawl broke out.

According to witnesses, there were dozens of people involved in the brawl.

Now, correct me if I am wrong, the Police mediated between two groups off known thugs regarding money of almost certain dubious origin and then let them go on their way….

To me it seems that the Cilandak Cop Shop (which is just around the corner from my house) has a very different view about how gangs, thugs, loan sharks, and known criminal elements should be treated than that espoused by Jakarta Police Chiefs.

Now, what makes me feel at ease and bound to give the shoppers back their confidence the Cilandak Police Commander stated that “We currently have 10 police officers guarding the mall." (Ten against Dozens?)

Meanwhile, across the road at Rumah Sakit Fatmawati, twenty other officers were on guard at the Fatmawati Hospital, where a wounded victim was treated. The victim, identified as 48-year-old Pattimura Tuhuteru, is a member of the Basri Gang. He was later transferred to another, presumably “High Security” hospital.

South Jakarta is certainly not as quiet as it used to be, my answer to my daughter when she asks if she can go to the mall on a Saturday afternoon have changed radically since last week!