Four nabbed for carrying sharp weapons

YOGYAKARTA: Police personnel in Yogyakarta arrested on Tuesday four supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for carrying sharp weapons.

The four were to have attended a PDI-P rally in Wates area here, at which Taufik Kiemas was expected to speak. On their way to the campaign they clashed with local residents in Pojok Benteng Kulon area. Afraid that they were outnumbered, the four supporters produced weapons, including swords and machetes.

Several police personnel who were passing by managed to prevent further conflict. The four were identified as Teguh Santoso, 30, Bertho Immanuel Lumenpo, 27, Rahmat Wibawa, 32 and Yuniarso Eko Dwiputro, 31. All but Teguh were residents of Mantrijeron district.

Separately, Yogyakarta municipality's Election Supervisory Committee (Panwasda) lashed out on Tuesday at Taufik Kiemas, a senior member of PDI-P and the husband of President Megawati Soekarnoputri. He was rebuked for staying in Gedung Agung in the heart of Yogyakarta, which is a state-owned building. -- JP