At least four killed as PPP, PKB supporters clash

At least four killed as PPP, PKB supporters clash

SEMARANG (JP): At least four people died and dozens were
injured in a clash involving supporters of the United Development
Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) in the Jepara
regency late on Friday.

Fourteen motorcycles and two houses were set on fire.

The clash occurred when PKB supporters were holding the
dedication of their new village branch in Dongos, Kedung
district. They were suddenly attacked by people identified as PPP
supporters. The majority died of wounds from sharp weapons.

The PPP's Central Java branch's deputy secretary, Farrid
Asror, said on Saturday, "We deeply regret the clash which led to
casualties."

"We're still identifying whether the dead are supporters of
PKB or PPP," he said.

According to Farrid, six died, but Central Java Police chief
Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi said four died and eight were hospitalized in
Jepara and nearby Kudus.

Nurfaizi said both parties have made a peace pact and have
promised to control their respective supporters. The agreement
was signed in front of local authorities and religious leaders,
he said.

A deputy chairman of PPP's Central Java branch, Hisyam Alie,
said the incident occurred amid efforts to improve relations
between dominant parties in the province, such as PKB, the
National Mandate Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle.

Hisyam said he was convinced that the incident was the result
of "provocateurs" who were against harmony among the parties,
citing similar clashes recently in Pekalongan and Demak, also in
Central Java.

Chairman of PKB's Jepara chapter, Roisul Falah, said both
parties needed introspection as to why their respective Muslim
supporters could be involved in such a tragedy. Clashes between
people identified as supporters of both parties have also
occurred in Pemalang and Rembang, strongholds of PPP.

Nurfaizi reiterated appeals to parties to hold indoor
functions and avoid involving thousands of supporters as much as
possible.

The General Elections Commission has appealed to parties to
avoid all manner of mass gatherings before the campaign period
from May 19 to June 4. So far, its appeals have been ignored.

The Independent Elections Monitoring Committee (KIPP) issued a
statement saying among others that the national elite of the PPP
and PKB parties should be more seriously involved in avoiding
further violence and victims. (har)