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)