More violence in Ujungpandang
UJUNGPANDANG (JP): Two people were injured and dozens of traffic lights vandalized in violence here yesterday which marred Golkar's third campaign round.
Thousands of Golkar supporters smashed traffic lights and vandalized two vans after a rally in Sambungjawa soccer field.
It was the second day of mob violence in the town. On Sunday, United Development Party (PPP) supporters ran amuck, vandalizing a car and more than 20 shops.
In one of yesterday's incidents, two Golkar supporters were mobbed while in a convoy in Ujungtanah subdistrict, a PPP stronghold.
Eyewitnesses said hundreds of Ujungtanah residents threw stones at the Golkar convoy.
The residents caught Sunandar, 27, and Udin, 41, beat them up and stripped them of their yellow Golkar T-shirts, which they tore apart.
The crowd dispersed after police arrived. Sunandar and Udin were taken to hospital.
Golkar supporters vandalized traffic lights along the city's main streets. The authorities said they were still estimating the damage bill.
Troops and police blocked streets with trucks to prevent Golkar supporters entering strategic zones and other parties' strongholds.
Local military chief Maj. Gen. Agum Gumelar and police chief Brig. Gen. Ali Hanafiah said the authorities had the situation under control.
Military officers have vowed to take a harsh punitive actions against people caught vandalizing public property during the campaign.
Local PPP leaders threatened yesterday to boycott the campaign tomorrow unless the authorities investigated a brawl they said Golkar activists started with PPP supporters Sunday.
Golkar's campaign in the city featured Amiruddin, a native of South Sulawesi and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives in Jakarta.
Amiruddin, a former South Sulawesi governor, promised that Golkar would help improve locals' living standards.
Golkar campaigns in Palu, Central Sulawesi, yesterday featured Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, other top government officials and businessman Fadel Muhammad. (31/37/30/pan)