PKB guards to be 'invincible'

PKB guards to be 'invincible'

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Senior Moslem clerics of the National Awakening Party (PKB) are busy training 300,000 activists to safeguard the party's campaigns.

Associated in Laskar Balaba (defense paramilitary troops), members do not only undergo physical training, but are also being trained to use inner powers, believed to be able to protect them from any physical harm.

"All this is necessary because we have been constantly under threat -- even long before the campaigning kicked off," said Noer Iskandar al-Barsany, chairman of the Central Java chapter of PKB.

He specifically singled out supporters of the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) as rivals.

"The recent attacks on our supporters in Jepara and Pekalongan are an undisputable act of terror against us. Why should we stay put?"

He said PKB had recruited 100 senior clerics from Java and other islands to train the party security guards. (45)