Rally participants face off with rivals<\/p>\n
TANGERANG (JP): More than 400 protesters demanding the
\nresignation of Tangerang Mayor Djakaria Machmud were involved in
\na skirmish with supporters of Djakaria on Monday.<\/p>\n
The protesters, grouped in Forum Penyelamat Tangerang (Save
\nTangerang Forum) and Gedung Pemuda 52, arrived at the mayor's
\noffice at about 10 a.m. and immediately became involved in a
\nquarrel with a rival group which was apparently waiting for them.<\/p>\n
The two parties threw mineral water bottles at each other.<\/p>\n
The two groups stopped fighting after the prompt arrival of
\nlocal police and military officers.<\/p>\n
But the presence of Djakaria's supporters, who also numbered
\nabout 400, was protested by those opposed to Djakaria.<\/p>\n
\"The mayor has hired hoodlums to face us,\" the protesters'
\nspokesman, Mahdi, said.<\/p>\n
In reply, mayoralty spokesman Harry Mulya Zein denied the
\naccusation, saying that such an allegation was baseless.<\/p>\n
Moreover, \"they're not the country's minister of home affairs,
\n(who has the legal authority to replace a mayor)\", he said.<\/p>\n
Monday's rally also caused heavy traffic congestion along
\nTangerang's main road, Jl. Daan Mogot.<\/p>\n
From Djakaria's office, the protesters, mostly university
\nstudents, marched to the local council office. They urged
\ncouncilors to fire Djakaria from his post and requested that the
\nlocal prosecutor's office investigate alleged corruption
\ncommitted by the mayor.<\/p>\n
Councilor Poniman, who received the protesters, explained that
\nthe council had received similar complaints from different
\ngroups, and information from people defending the major.<\/p>\n
However, he said, it was the West Java governor's decision to
\ndefend Djakaria as the Tangerang mayor.<\/p>\n
The council also said the corruption allegations against
\nDjakaria were being investigated by the local prosecutor's
\noffice. (41\/jun)<\/p>",
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