Police "protection" for tree

The Jakarta government asked for police assistance to protect a tree after members of the United Islam Youth group "attacked" it. The 100-year-old banyan tree in the middle of a busy road is said to have magical powers. The United Islam Youth calls bullshit on that. From Reuters:

"The city government tried hard not to cut the tree when we built a new bus lane. It is more than 100 years old and it is important for the environment," said Susi Marsitawati of Jakarta's park agency.

"But later rumors spread that the government was unable to fell the tree because it has supernatural powers and is sacred," the official said, adding that Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso had filed a complaint with police...

Jeje Zainudin, chairman of the United Islam Youth, said... "It is not a matter of chopping down the tree but this is to counter a popular belief such as if [we] touch it, [we] will get sick or your cleaver will break."

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