Four killed in PPP road campaign

PEMALANG, Central Java: Four United Development Party (PPP) supporters were killed and 17 injured when their truck plunged into a ravine on the way to a rally, a party official said Saturday.

Noor Cholidin Nadi of Pemalang's PPP branch said the accident happened on a narrow road while the truck carrying about 50 party supporters was on its way to a rally in Sima village.

The truck slid into a ravine as the driver tried to avoid a headlong collision with a van.

Spokesman for the Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Supriadi said in Jakarta Thursday that 27 people had been killed, 51 injured -- 30 critically -- campaigning between Sunday and Thursday.

Golkar secretary Ary Mardjono said over the weekend that fatalities due to traffic accidents and supporters' clashes were "regrettable".

Ary said the police and election supervision committees should take strong actions against people breaching campaign rules. (wah/06)