Communist symbol sparks panic

BREBES, Central Java (JP): The solemnity of Pancasila Sanctity Day on Oct. 1 in the regent's office here was tarnished by the mysterious appearance of the communist logo on bureaucrats' computer screens.

Some of the regent's aides could not believe their eyes when a hammer-and-sickle logo, the symbol of the outlawed and hated Indonesian Communist Party, appeared.

The despised emblem first appeared on the screens of employees in the legal affairs section. Then it showed up on those in the administrative department and finally in personnel affairs.

"The logo appeared on a corner of the screens," an employee in the office supply department told The Jakarta Post. He said that the symbol had never previously appeared.

The unexpected presence of the communist symbol was especially surprising because, like civil servants in other parts of the country, Brebes officials had just celebrated the victory of the state ideology Pancasila over communism in 1965.

Chief of the sociopolitical affairs section Muhammad Nawir said yesterday he would lodge complaint a with the computer dealer in town. (wah/pan)