PRD supporters injured in Yogya

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Four supporters of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) were injured on Monday when they were ambushed by a group of unidentified people in Yogyakarta.

Dozens of PRD supporters went to the streets on Monday to protest alleged money politics used by Golkar and the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) to lure voters in the province. They also protested in other towns, including Jakarta and Semarang.

Yogyakarta's PRD chairman Haris Rusli Moti said the incident was worse than an earlier incident on Saturday in front of provincial Golkar headquarters, when Golkar Task Force members clashed with PRD supporters.

"We still cannot identify the attackers, but the government must take tough measures against the criminals," Haris said.

Separately, 30 representatives of political parties gathered here on Monday to discuss vote-buying practices by political parties. Concerns were raised from small political parties, including the tiny Independence Awakening Party (PKM).

Provincial PKM chairwoman Sri Wahyuningsih confirmed local press reports that a political party had offered to pay Rp 5,000 per vote in Gunung Kidul for 609 votes it won in the regency, and Rp 50,000 respectively for 471 votes it won in Sleman regency.

"The party which made the offer is quite big and pro-status quo," said Sri.(44/swa)