Police raid PUDI office, 5 arrested

Police raid PUDI office, 5 arrested

SURABAYA, East Java: Five local activists from the
unrecognized Indonesian Democratic Union Party (PUDI) were
arrested Monday when security forces raided its office in Malang,
East Java.

Malang Police Chief Hary Sudewo said yesterday those arrested
were local PUDI chairman Moch. Faiqh, 23, secretary Nurussuluhi
Nawawi, 27, and three other members.

But the members -- Lilla Martasari, 22, Dedi Suprapto 21, and
Rico Farisha, 28 -- were released shortly after the arrest.

Hary said police and military officers raided PUDI's chapter
here after receiving a tip-off from local residents that the
activists were plotting a big street demonstration to exploit
pressing economic issues.

The security team confiscated books and newspaper clippings,
an air rifle, a machete, and posters of Iran's Ayatollah
Khomeini, PUDI's chairman Sri Bintang Pamungkas, Indonesia's
founding president Sukarno and opposition figure Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

PUDI was established in 1994 by Bintang, who is currently on
trial for allegedly trying to undermine the authorities through
his activities within the party. (nur)