Some martial arts clubs banned in East Timor over gang violence

09/23/2013 // West Palm Beach , Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)

East Timor – Pencak silat martial arts clubs in East Timor have been banned due to deadly gang violence officials say. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), police in the country say a zero tolerance policy has been implemented for those who practice the popular local martial art.

Over a reported 200 people have been injured and 12 killed in the last two years due to fighting between rival clubs that participate in pencak silat fighting.

Armando Monteiro, National Police detective chief, is quoted by the AP as stating, “Any martial arts clubs members that violate the government resolution will be dealt with under the law… There will be “zero tolerance for martial arts activities in the country.” Other martial arts forms such as karate are not banned.

Students in a number of East Timor villages are stated to begin learning pencak silat as early as age 13.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who issued a resolution two months ago that outlaws the popular clubs, is quoted as stating of the issue, “I have no more mercy and no more patience… I cannot tolerate the situation anymore, and I cannot permit it anymore.”

This report is provided by Justice News Flash – World Legal News

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