Five suspects detained over Jepara violence
SEMARANG (JP): Five people have been detained for alleged involvement in the deadly clashes that broke out last Friday in Jepara regency between supporters of two rival Muslim-based political parties, Central Java Police said on Wednesday.
Four people were killed in the incident involving supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) in Dongos village, Kedung district.
Central Java Police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi said two of the suspects were thought to be the instigators of the violence, while the others were arrested for their alleged involvement in the deaths of the four.
He said all suspects were members of one party's security guards, but declined to name the party.
Last Friday, PKB supporters were attacked by PPP supporters when they returned in convoy from a party gathering in another village in the regency.
As many as 30 people have been questioned as witnesses, Nurfaizi said, adding the case was being handled by the Jepara police.
He said the police will "soon" complete and submit the dossiers to prosecutors for court proceedings.
Police are still looking for several other people suspected of being involved in the violence.
"The situation in Jepara is now normal again," Nurfaizi said.
As quoted by Antara, Central Java Police detectives chief Col. Murawai Effendi said police were looking for the "provocateurs".
The news agency also reported on Wednesday that Jepara Police had detained a man for allegedly distributing leaflets insulting PKB patron Abdurrahman Wahid, who was reportedly scheduled to visit the area on Sunday.
Jepara Police chief Lt. Col. Monang Manulang told the news agency the suspect was an Undaan villager, from Kudus regency. He was arrested in Mulyohardjo village, he said.
In a related development on Wednesday in Purwokerto, the Anti- Violence Student Committee urged security personnel to be professional and ensure public safety during the elections.
The students blamed the recent violence between supporters of PKB and PPP on the speeches of party elders.
In Yogyakarta, 48 parties signed an agreement with the police, pledging that they would not mobilize huge numbers of supporters in rallies in the streets during the election campaign period -- May 19 and June 4 -- without informing the police in advance.
"We've agreed that political parties will not mobilize their supporters in too large a number. Of course the figure is relative, but that we can discuss later," Yogyakarta Police chief Col. Dadang Sutrisno said.
In East Java's capital of Surabaya on Wednesday, local leaders of the 48 parties promised the provincial administration they would give similar instructions to supporters in districts and villages. Also included in the agreement was a pledge to avoid violence and cheating -- including "money politics" -- to win the polls.
"We want all of the parties, down to the grassroots level, to agree to the same documents," Governor Imam Utomo was quoted as saying by Antara.
In Central Sulawesi's capital of Palu, Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung held a gathering with party cadres.
In his speech there, Akbar repeated that the party was considering five people for presidential candidate, namely incumbent B.J. Habibie, himself, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto and Yogyakarta monarch Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. He said the strongest candidate was still Habibie, denying reports that Habibie had deserted the party.
Meanwhile, in Central Kalimantan's capital of Palangka Raya, chairman of the Crescent Star Party Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the party had not considered a coalition with other political parties.
"The party won't coalesce with other parties, because we will fight alone in the coming elections," he said after opening a party district branch. (har/38/44/45/aan)