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.