Party leader denies his death

TEMANGGUNG, Central Java: As tension runs high ahead of this week's election, the seriously ill local chief of the United Development Party (PPP), PM Imron, rose from his hospital bed to deny rumors that he had died.

Attempts by government officials and lower party functionaries to deny the rumors had fallen on deaf ears until an ingenious bureaucrat suggested broadcasting an interview with Imron.

The interview was broadcasted by the local government radio station and relayed by local commercial radio stations last week. Eventually, the public believed Imron was still alive.

In the interview, Imron told party supporters that he was getting better and that they should not resort to violence during the campaign.

Imron was stabbed a day after supporters of the Moslem-based PPP and Golkar clashed on the town's streets.

He also told party supporters that, when he recovered, he would go on a spiritual journey to seek his attackers and make a mystical settlement with them. (wah/pan)