Phojam 21
| Phojam 21 | |
|---|---|
.png) Logo of Phojam 21, since 3 January, 2024. | |
| Also known as |
|
| Leader | Unknown (as of October 2024) |
| Dates of operation | 2019-2020 – present |
| Country |  Indonesia  Olov |
| Active regions | Phojam-controlled Andara 1 street |
| Ideology | Andara regionalism (official) Westernism Anti-Arabism Anti-imperialism Zionism (allegedly) |
| Major actions | |
| Status | Active (as an underground gang) |
| Size | 15-20 militias |
| Opponents | Olov
Group opponents:  Emirate of Islam  Katibat Ansar al-Mu'minin  Olovian Youth |
| Battles and wars | |
Phojam 21 (also known as Phojam Boys, Andara 21, and the Phojam local gangsters according to the Olovian-central government and its allies) is a street gang formed within Andara 1 street, Pondok Labu sub-district, Cilandak district, South Jakarta, Indonesia. The gang focuses on maintaining pro-Christian, pro-Western, and pro-agnostic interests, along with a distinct strong anti-Arab sentiment. It is widely considered as one of the well-known street gangs within the area.
The armed wing of the Phojam local gangsters is the Mikaelist faction (Indonesian: Faksi Mikael), whose primary targets are mainly Arab-Indonesians (Hadhramis), Pakistanis, and pro-Palestine supporters. It is alleged that members of Phojam 21 frequently publicly insult and spat at these targets throughout the 2023 Ondernaming civil conflict.
Following their defeat at the conflict's end, the members abruptly ceased these activities. However, smaller incidents of anti-Arab sentiment continued, particularly in cyberwarfare.
History
Background
Phojam 21 traces its origins back to the Andara 1 street, Pondok Labu sub-district, Cilandak district, South Jakarta, in 2020. The gang emerged after its formation, seeking to consolidate their power and expand their illicit activities such as vandalism.
In the early stages, Phojam 21 engaged in several conflicts and brawls (Indonesian: Tawuran) with other street gangs and establishing its presence in the street gang community. The gang's leadership, led by William Agung Matheus, as the gang leader who carefully orchestrated their rise to power.
Involvement with and against the Republic of Olov
The first interaction between the Republic of Olov and Phojam 21 started on November 2022, when the newly pro-Islamist group attacked several places within Ondernaming. Mikael Gabriel Rafael, a fifteen-year-old Catholic who has become a candidate for gang leader in the gang, formed a friendship with Olovian president Saleh A.H. At some time, it served as a paramilitary group for the Republic of Olov during the Ondernaming insurgency.
Following the insurgency, a surge in ethnic and political tensions has gripped the relationship between Olovian president Saleh A.H and Ondernaming governor also Phojam gang leader Mikael Gabriel Rafael. This escalation has been particularly evident since the beginning of the 2023 Olovian commission of Ramadhan on March 4, 2023.
Olovian president Saleh A.H.'s efforts were interpreted differently by various Phojam gang members, some seeing it as a genuine attempt at reconciliation, while others saw it as a strategic move to assert control over the region. Mikael Gabriel Rafael then declared his "anti-Arab rule" which would persecute people with Arab descent within Ondernaming.
Formation of the Mikaelist faction and 2023 Ondernaming civil conflict
On April 19, 2023, at approximately 00:18 AM (UTC+7), Ondernaming governor Mikael Gabriel Rafael led an opposing rally known as the anti-Saleh faction. The rally drew significant participation, with over fourteen individuals joining, including five Indonesian civilians residing in Ondernaming. The incident occurred within the main streets of Ondernaming and ultimately resulted in the occupation and seizure of a considerable area within the region. The opposing rally was then formed as the armed wing of Phojam 21. Mikael Gabriel Rafael was also assumed as chief of the armed wing, and his role as the governor of Ondernaming was revoked by the Olovian-central government.
Under Mikael Gabriel Rafael's leadership, beginning on April 19, 2023, Mikaelist militias recruited children aged 4-10, marking a significant shift. Additionally, the faction adopted a more inclusive stance, declaring a "friendly" environment for homosexuals and non-binaries.
However, Saleh A.H accused Mikael Gabriel Rafael of manipulating Mikaelist children militias to harbor aggression towards Saleh's family, which turned out to be true. Western culture, such as punk subculture, was also adapted in the armed wing, with purpose of anti-Arab propaganda.
End of the 2023 Ondernaming civil conflict
Mikael's leadership as chief of the Mikaelist faction ended on July 10, 2023, as the Mikaelist faction surrendered during the 2023 Ondernaming civil conflict. The role of acting chief was assumed by Mikael's younger brother, William Agung Matheus, who concurrently holds the position of gang leader within the Phojam local gangsters. Under Matheus's leadership, the Mikaelist faction was officially declared an underground movement and had few incidents with the Olovian-central government.
On November 24, 2023, the Olovian Youth militias launched a decisive assault on Mikaelist militias on Northeastern Romansyah (now an Indonesian area, the assault directly led to the Ojan Crisis. Since the ongoing conflict, all Mikaelist commanders (excluding Mikael Gabriel Rafael and William Agung Matheus) have been uniformly ranked as Adjudants.
Leadership
The following is a list of the gang leader (Indonesian: ketua geng) of Phojam 21, since its formation, and during the beginning and ending of the 2023 Ondernaming civil-conflict.
| Gang leader | Took office | Left office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Agung Matheus | |||
| Mikael Gabriel Rafael | |||
| William Agung Matheus (acting) | |||
Armed strength and size
According to the Olovian National Army, the Mikaelist faction had a size over 15 militias, including its commanders, while some claimed it to be around 10-20 militias, with the children militias included.
Since the Ojan Crisis, all Mikaelist commanders were ranked as Adjudant.