Golkar, PDI Perjuangan supporters clash

Golkar, PDI Perjuangan supporters clash

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

Sporadic clashes between supporters of the Golkar Party and the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) erupted
in Tabanan, Bali, on Saturday, giving some indication of the
security problems the nation could face in the general election
next year.

At least six women were injured, and two motorbikes, five
cars, one truck and two houses vandalized in at least six attacks
that marred the celebration of Golkar's 39th anniversary on the
island, which is a PDI Perjuangan stronghold.

The women dancers, who were middle aged, were part of a
traditional performing arts group taking part in the celebration
at Padanggalak Square in Sanur district in Tabanan. They were
rushed to Tabanan Hospital with head injuries.

The Tabanan Police fired warning shots and used tear gas to
disperse PDI Perjuangan supporters who intercepted a convoy of
2,700 Golkar supporters who were passing through Pasekan
subdistrict in Selemadeg district on their way to Padanggalak
Square.

There were reports that one PDI Perjuangan supporter sustained
a gunshot wound, but Tabanan Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Aan
Iskandar denied the rumor.

Aan said some 1,000 Mobile Brigade police troops were deployed
to maintain order in the regency following the trouble.

Witnesses said the violence in Pasekan subdistrict erupted
after a crowd of people wearing PDI Perjuangan T-shirts tried to
block the Golkar convoy. They set a motorbike on fire and
vandalized four cars after the convoy refused to stop.

The Golkar supporters managed to flee, only to come under
further attack. The worst assault took place in Kediri when PDI
Perjuangan supporters burned one of the trucks carrying the
Golkar supporters.

Police troops damaged three cars belonging to the attackers
when they gave chase to the assailants.

"The attackers repeatedly tried to violently break the
security cordon, so I can understand why my personnel were a bit
emotional," Aan said.

Elsewhere, a convoy of Golkar Youth Development Force (AMPG)
members was intercepted near Alit Saputra Square in Tabanan
downtown. They sought safety at a nearby military office.

Another incident took place late in the evening in Megati
subdistrict, where a returning convoy of Golkar supporters were
pelted with stones by a group of people, who, unlike other
attackers, did not wear any PDI Perjuangan symbols.

Recently, Tabanan emerged as the most volatile place, marked
by repeated clashes involving supporters of Golkar and PDI
Perjuangan. Golkar's office in Tabanan has been attacked twice in
the past five days.

Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung said the attacks would not
discourage people who support the party.

"Even when the party's office is vandalized, as happened in
Bali, it will not influence the growing public support for
Golkar," he said.

Some 15,000 Golkar supporters attended the celebration, which
was highlighted by the performance of hip-gyrating dangdut singer
Inul Daratista. All the party's seven presidential candidates
were present at the event.