Jakarta rocked by more riots

Jakarta rocked by more riots

JAKARTA (JP): More violence erupted in Jakarta yesterday when
United Development Party (PPP) supporters staged street convoys
despite the party's leaders' overnight decision to halt
campaigning.

Clashes involving supporters of the Moslem-based party and
security forces broke out around the party's strongholds of
Mampang and Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta, and Kampung Melayu
and Klender in East Jakarta. Intermittent heavy rain checked the
mob, but thousands gathered again as soon as the rain let up.

No fatalities were reported in the riots, that were a repeat
of Sunday's rampage. Police said at least 21 people were arrested
for pelting stones at security officials and public buildings,
but witnesses said that police took more than 50 people away.

Order was restored shortly after nightfall but the city
remained tense with hundreds of police and military troops
standing guard around riot-hit areas.

Thousands of security officers fired tear gas canisters and
warning shots into the air to disperse the mob that turned
violent when they were not allowed to form street convoys.

PPP Jakarta chapter's head, Rusjdi Hamka, said Monday night
that the branch had canceled all campaign rallies, fearing more
violence. The decision followed an agreement by the leaders of
the three parties' Jakarta branches Saturday to call off open-air
rallies in the last five days of the campaign.

The most serious scuffle was in Mampang. An angry mob toppled
a 500-meter-long fence on the median strip on Jl. Warung Buncit
Raya and burned a stack of used tires, garbage and garbage carts.

Witnesses said the skirmish began at about 2 p.m. after
security forces fired warning shots to prevent PPP supporters
pouring out of nearby slum areas to join a street procession.

"People standing along the street became angry when they heard
the shots and started pelting the officers with stones," said a
witness wearing a green PPP uniform.

Another witness said the mob seized a camera from a Malaysian
TV3 crew member and beat up a reporter wearing a Reuters
identification tag. Police also beat up a Republika daily
photographer.

At least 1,000 police, soldiers and marines were called in to
break up the mob, while a police chopper hovered overhead.

Jusuf Hamdani, the city council PPP faction chairman, who
lives on Jl. Warung Buncit Raya, tried to calm the crowd but
failed.

Jakarta military commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso arrived with
city police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata for an inspection just
after security forces had restored order at about 5 p.m.

An upset Sutiyoso said PPP supporters had breached the rules
set by the government and their leaders.

"They have seriously disappointed us. We tried to prevent
violence, but they really intend to destroy (things)," he said.

"The PPP should take responsibility for the riots," he said.

He said the disturbances could have been instigated by other
groups because none of the people arrested were wearing PPP
clothing or carrying the party's symbol.

In Kampung Melayu, witnesses said an armed mob began attacking
PPP supporters at exactly the same time as security officers, who
were already in the area, fired the first tear gas.

A red Volkswagen was smashed by attackers coming out of Jl.
Puskesmas. No buildings were damaged.

"The attackers, armed with long swords and machetes, were
ignored by the officers while scores of them chased PPP
supporters. Did you see their blatant discriminative treatment
(of PPP)?" a local said.

A youth was wounded in the leg when a tear gas canister
exploded near him, and a soldier was smashed in the face with a
stone in the sporadic clashes.

In Kebayoran Lama, a department store and a bank were severely
damaged after angry PPP supporters pelted them with stones.

Sporadic violence also broke out in Bandung. Mobs pelted
stones at several shops along Jl. Cihampelas, Jl. ABC and Jl.
Achmad Yani. No injuries or further damage were reported.

Golkar banners along Jl. Cihampelas were destroyed.

In Semarang, Central Java, about 150 people wearing PPP attire
were arrested on their way home from yesterday's rallies for
jeering, spitting and hurling stones at police. One of those
arrested said he was paid Rp 6,000 (US$2.5) to do it.

PPP supporters in Pekalongan, Central Java, burned four
motorbikes after their riders refused to reply their one-finger
signal, Antara reported. The party faithful also damaged a local
legislator's car.

Meanwhile, PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said in his end
of campaign statement that the country would see changes if his
party won the general election on May 29.

"We will fight for laws which comply with people's
expectations in all aspects of their lives," Ismail said. (team)