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)