Councilors resort to fisticuffs

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 Arifin and Yosep are no longer active members of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)