Political riots rock three C. Java towns<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Political violence shook the Central Java towns
\nof Pekalongan, Rembang and Temanggung early Sunday, in which nine
\npeople were injured, one house vandalized, several shops attacked
\nand 15 vehicles set on fire, officials said yesterday.<\/p>\n
The latest bout of rioting involved supporters of the Moslem-
\noriented United Development Party (PPP) and the government-backed
\nGolkar party that would compete in next month's election.<\/p>\n
Authorities in the three towns said the situation had been
\nbrought under control but residents said tension lingered.<\/p>\n
In the batik-producing coastal town of Pekalongan, about 300
\nkilometers east of Jakarta, the brutality occurred at about 1
\na.m. Sunday, the second incident in less than two weeks.<\/p>\n
The riot was triggered by the removal of PPP flags from the
\nstreets by government officials. In revenge, they cleared Golkar
\nbanners off the streets.<\/p>\n
In the ensuing riot, the mob -- whose affiliation was still
\ndisputed -- broke into a showroom and burned seven motorcycles.
\nOne parked car was also set ablaze.<\/p>\n
The angry mob, mostly youths also ransacked dozens of barrels
\nof chemicals for batik production. Several shops were also
\nreportedly vandalized.<\/p>\n
Pekalongan police chief Col. Solichin told The Jakarta Post
\nthat Sunday's rioting was caused by misunderstanding between
\nsupporters of Golkar and PPP.<\/p>\n
\"Seven rioters were arrested, but only two of them will be
\ntaken to court,\" Solichin said.<\/p>\n
Sunday's violence was a repetition of rioting last month, when
\nthousands of people went on the rampage March 24-March 26,
\nvandalizing shops and property belonging to local Chinese.<\/p>\n
The violence reportedly began after PPP supporters became
\nenraged when the local authorities removed their party's banners
\nand replaced them with Golkar's.<\/p>\n
In last month's unrest, eight people were injured in scuffles
\nwith security personnel and about 60 buildings damaged.<\/p>\n
The PPP Central Java chapter has accused local ulemas of
\ninciting the unrest through their sermons which hurt the party's
\nimage.<\/p>\n
It is believed that rioters were also upset because popular
\ndangdut singer Rhoma Irama, formerly a PPP supporter, crossed
\nover to Golkar and performed in the town for Golkar.<\/p>\n
Thirty people have been sentenced to between three days and
\nthree months imprisonment by the Pekalongan district court for
\ntheir involvement in last month's riots.<\/p>\n
Though the authorities claimed the situation has returned to
\nnormal many shops remained closed yesterday, residents said.<\/p>\n
\"I am still scared to open my shop. I'm still shocked by the
\nrepetition of the incident,\" said Suparlan, a shop owner on Jl.
\nBuaran.<\/p>\n
At about 6 p.m. Sunday, similar violence erupted in the
\ntobacco-producing town of Temanggung, some 65 kilometers south of
\nSemarang.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said the incident in Temanggung occurred when PPP
\nsupporters clashed with those of dominant Golkar at Ngimbrang
\nvillage, Bulu sub-district. Detailed information on the incident
\nwas sketchy.<\/p>\n
Seven motorcycles, one car and one house were damaged during
\nthe riot, while eight supporters of the two parties were wounded,
\nreliable sources told the Post.<\/p>\n
The city was still tense, but the situation has returned to
\nnormal, police said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the riot in Rembang, some 150 kilometers east of
\nSemarang, broke out at 9 p.m. Sunday after supporters of the
\ndominant Golkar burned down a stage, used to hold a religious
\nsermon.<\/p>\n
The sermon, held in commemoration of the PPP's 24th
\nanniversary, was staged at Krikilan village, which is known to be
\na Golkar stronghold.<\/p>\n
The violence escalated after the stage, also used for a PPP-
\nsponsored musical concert, was set ablaze by a group of people
\nbelieved to be Golkar supporters.<\/p>\n
\"I believe that the stage was burned by Golkar supporters in
\nrevenge for what occurred in Pekalongan last month,\" said a local
\nresident.<\/p>\n
A PPP supporter, Syamsuddin, was stabbed with a knife during
\nthe clash between the two parties' supporters, witnesses said. He
\nis now being treated at Rembang General Hospital.<\/p>\n
An official of the Rembang District Police told the Post that
\npolice are now investigating the riot.<\/p>\n
He said that activities went on as usual yesterday.<\/p>\n
No houses, buildings or vehicles were reportedly burned or
\ndamaged during the incident. (har\/wah\/imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/political-riots-rock-three-c-java-towns-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}