Councilors resort to fisticuffs

BANDUNG: The inauguration of council members in Bandung descended into a fistfight on Wednesday when a legislator interrupted the session and derided two other councilors as no longer belonging to his faction.

Council secretary Abu Umar was reading a document on the retirement of the former legislators when the altercation occurred.

As he read the names of Arifin Sambas and Yosep Alamsyah, both from the United Development Party (PPP) faction, another PPP faction member, Nanang Djuhana, suddenly raised his hand.

"Objection! Arifin and Yosep are no longer active members of PPP. Therefore, they do not represent our party anymore," Nanang said.

Arifin and Yosep walked over to Nanang and punched him, forcing police officers to intervene.

"Arifin and Yosep have been suspended from PPP because they moved to the United Party in August 1998," Nanang said later.

Arifin and Yosep said they would press charges over the incident.

"He insulted us," both legislators said. (43/edt)