Text Messages Lead Ambonese to Have Communal Clash

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The national police (POLRI) is investigating provocative text messages sent to local people leading to Sunday’s communal clash in the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon. The provocative messages describe as if there were a victim tortured to death.

"Polri is investigating the messages provoking local people to get involved in the clash," said National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam here, Monday.

Anton stated the clash was started with a traffic accident. However, the messages distributed describe as if the casualty were abused. Therefore Polri asks local people not to be easily influenced with the provocative messages.

"We urge people to restraint themselves from clashes and trust law enforcement officers to handle them." Ferry Santoso