ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the transformation of beking patterns and statepreman alliances via a detailed analysis of preman 'turf politics' in the district of Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta. Hercules Rozario Marcal's gang was able successfully to wrest control of Jatibunder sub-district of Tanah Abang from predominantly ethnic Betawi and Madurese gangs, gaining a stranglehold over protection rackets in the lucrative main market building and over prostitution in Bongkaran, where they established a headquarters. An automatic alliance emerged between a city administration struggling to maintain control over the organic transformation of Jakarta's streets and neighbourhoods took cooperation in the carrying out of 'anti-preman' public order campaigns. The IKBT and Sutiyoso's administration both shared a vested interest in suppressing the emergence of counter-hegemonic forces and stemming the tide of the reform movement that could threaten their own local monopolies and rackets.
