Political fireworks

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The explosive quarreling exchanges between Indonesia's political elite have raised anxiety levels among many people in the country, except for a local firecracker producer who is taking the opportunity to benefit from the discord.

Last week police apprehended Sukarno, a resident of Karangklesem subdistrict south of here, following claims that he had been selling firecrackers bearing the image of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

The arrest was made following a complaint filed with police by the provincial branch office of the National Awakening Party (PKB), the President's political affiliation, after noticing a picture of the special firecracker printed in a local newspaper.

A search of Sukarno's house uncovered hundreds of firecrackers, but none of them resembled those described by the PKB.

Police also found firecrackers bearing a picture of Akbar Tandjung, the speaker of the House of Representatives, whom the President frequently quarrels with.

Sukarno admitted to having produced a Gus Dur version of the firecracker, but only twice.

"I have no other purpose but to sell special firecrackers," Sukarno told the police. He remarked that the cover of a weekly magazine had inspired him to design the explosive political tributes.

Local police chief Supt. Imam Basuki stated that Sukarno was not charged with libel or defamation of the head of state, but with illegal production of merchandise. (45)