24 PPP activists injured in Central Java violence
SEMARANG (JP): Twenty-four United Development Party (PPP) activists were injured in the recent unrest in Central Java, a local party official said yesterday.
Central Java PPP deputy chairman Toyfoer said that in Wonosobo eight people were injured, Pekalongan four, Banjarnegara three, Temanggung four and Klaten two.
"Some of the victims are still in hospital and no fatalities have been reported," Toyfoer said.
The riots were triggered by clashes between supporters of the Moslem-based PPP and the dominant Golkar party.
Toyfoer said he believed the riots were triggered by a "third party" intending to tarnish PPP's image.
"They wanted to damage PPP's reputation with the riots. Unidentified people putting on PPP attributes burnt houses and looted shops," said Toyfoer.
Despite the attempts to discredit PPP, the party is determined to participate in the forthcoming election campaigns, and will take all necessary measures to minimize incident.
The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), PPP and Golkar will campaign from April 27 to May 23. Political tension is heightening in Central Java and more clashes are feared between PPP and Golkar supporters.
Meanwhile, Surakarta PPP secretary Zaenal Maarif urged party branches across the country to boycott the campaigning. He warned that the electioneering would only victimize PPP cadres.
"Why should we waste our energy? Our party has been discredited by external powers. What's the use of campaigning if Golkar is certain to win in the election?" Maarif asked.
About 500 villagers in Tegaldowo and Pekalongan caught a man removing PPP flags from the roads Tuesday night, a local party official said.
Hamzah Shodiq from PPP's Pekalongan chapter said the man escaped the villagers.
"It's a good thing that police then came and dispersed the angry mobs and took the man to the police station before they took the law into their own hands," he said.
None of the villagers were detained. Police were not available for comment on the incident. (har/06)