PPP provoked to attack PKB

SEMARANG: The chairman of the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP) chapter here, M. Thoyfoer, says his party has found thousands of leaflets which encourage its supporters to attack supporters of another Muslim-based party, the National Awakening Party (PKB).

"The leaflets were found in regencies along Java's northern coast like in Tegal, Brebes, Pekalongan, Batang, Kendal, Semarang, Kudus, Demak, Pati and Rembang," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday evening.

"We urge all our cadres and supporters not to be provoked. We must not clash with our own brothers," Thoyfoer said.

Besides, he said, the Central Java party chapter had listed the names of some of its campaigners who instigated PPP supporters to riot.

"Unruly PPP campaigners who do not toe the party line will be dismissed and replaced with more disciplined campaigners. We are selling our party to the people, not urging them to wage a war," he said.

Thoyfoer did not disclose how many campaigners the PPP had dismissed over the past eight days of electioneering. In Central Java, PPP and PKB have clashed several times. Some died in the incidents. (har)