Political fireworks

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)