PDI vs PDI-P in Bali

DENPASAR, Bali: Hundreds of disgruntled supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) stormed the party's office in Jembrana, some 90 kilometers west of Denpasar, on Monday.

The violence took place after their candidate, I Ketut Sandiyasa, loss the regent's post to an unexpected figure, Gede Winasa, in an election in the morning.

Sandiyasa got 11 votes, while Winasa garnered 19.

Sandiyasa was the sole PDI Perjuangan, while Winasa was nominated by the United and Republic Faction (FPR), a coalition of United Development Party (PPP) representatives and Republic Party (PR) representatives.

The unsatisfactory result evoked PDI Perjuangan supporters since the party holds 17 of 30 seats in the Jembrana Legislative Council, while the FPR has only three seats.

"This means that six members of the PDI Perjuangan faction have betrayed their own candidate by voting for Winasa," an eyewitness said.

The mob then besieged the Mendopo Kesari building, where the election took place. (zen)