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)