'Hired ulemas' behind Pekalongan PKB-PPP clash: Gus Dur
'Hired ulemas' behind Pekalongan PKB-PPP clash: Gus Dur
KENDAL, Central Java (JP): At least 11 people were injured
when clashes involving supporters of the United Development Party
(PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) broke out on
Saturday in Pekalongan, incidents which PKB founder Abdurrahman
Wahid was quick to blame on "hired ulemas".
Observers said 17 clashes between PPP and PKB have taken place
in Pekalongan alone since the start of campaigning on May 19.
Abdurrahman, who is also chairman of Indonesia's largest
Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said here on Sunday the
ulemas were paid to provoke the violence, which led to fatalities
and injury for dozens of Muslim supporters of PPP and PKB.
"I know all of them (the alleged hired ulemas). What I don't
understand is why they have the heart to let Muslims become the
victims," Abdurrahman, who helped found PKB, said.
Meanwhile, deputy chief of PPP's Pekalongan chapter Moh. Ahlan
said the rioters were neither PPP nor PKB supporters, but
provocateurs who did not want to see the Indonesian Muslim
community become united.
"The provocateurs are supporters of former president Soeharto
and his cronies, who intentionally came to Pekalongan to play PPP
supporters against those of the PKB," he told reporters in
Pekalongan on Sunday.
Chief of PKB's Pekalongan branch Mahfud Dimyati also believed
the provocateurs did not want to see Muslim-oriented parties,
like the PPP and the PKB, win in the upcoming June 7 elections.
On Saturday, Central Java Police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi
blamed irresponsible people for the recent clashes.
"None of the 48 parties contesting the elections have urged
their members or supporters to commit crimes," he said as quoted
by Antara.
The situation in Pekalongan remained tense until Sunday
afternoon, with dozens of policemen and military officers on
guard in riot-prone locations.
The brawl took place on Saturday evening in Kradenan
subdistrict, Pekalongan regency, when supporters of both parties
pelted stones at each other. Six people were injured and five
homes destroyed.
A similar clash also occurred in Simbang Wetan subdistrict,
Pekalongan mayoralty, injuring five supporters of both parties.
Four of the victims were wounded by air rifle shots, while the
last one was hit by acid.
Also destroyed were five homes and one motorcycle, with the
property belonging to supporters of both camps.
Preliminary reports said the dispute was triggered by rumors
that PKB supporters were planning to block PPP supporters during
their street rally on Friday.
Other reports said Saturday's incident was the continuation of
a dispute last Wednesday.
The violence on Wednesday broke out after a group of
unidentified people blocked PKB supporters who were leaving a
campaign site at Paesan Kedungwuni soccer field. In the ensuing
melee, several houses in Kradenan and Jenggot subdistricts, where
PKB supporters live, were destroyed and their vehicles burned.
The attackers also shot at PKB supporters with air rifles,
threw stones and sprayed hydrochloric acid at them.
Nurfaizi warned on Saturday against an escalation of violence.
"Do not let the clash among supporters of the two NU-based
political parties develop into a Sambas-like ethnic riot," he
said, referring to Malay-Madurese unrest in the West Kalimantan
town. More than 200 people were killed and thousands lost their
homes.
He urged supporters of all of the parties contesting the
elections not to use the expression of their political freedom to
transgress on the freedom of others.
"Do not cultivate this anger among you, and please remember
that whoever wins the elections will lead, and will have to be
supported by us all."
He also called on the public to remain wary of any provocation
aimed at disrupting national unity. (har/imn)