Rally participants face off with rivals

TANGERANG (JP): More than 400 protesters demanding the resignation of Tangerang Mayor Djakaria Machmud were involved in a skirmish with supporters of Djakaria on Monday.

The protesters, grouped in Forum Penyelamat Tangerang (Save Tangerang Forum) and Gedung Pemuda 52, arrived at the mayor's office at about 10 a.m. and immediately became involved in a quarrel with a rival group which was apparently waiting for them.

The two parties threw mineral water bottles at each other.

The two groups stopped fighting after the prompt arrival of local police and military officers.

But the presence of Djakaria's supporters, who also numbered about 400, was protested by those opposed to Djakaria.

"The mayor has hired hoodlums to face us," the protesters' spokesman, Mahdi, said.

In reply, mayoralty spokesman Harry Mulya Zein denied the accusation, saying that such an allegation was baseless.

Moreover, "they're not the country's minister of home affairs, (who has the legal authority to replace a mayor)", he said.

Monday's rally also caused heavy traffic congestion along Tangerang's main road, Jl. Daan Mogot.

From Djakaria's office, the protesters, mostly university students, marched to the local council office. They urged councilors to fire Djakaria from his post and requested that the local prosecutor's office investigate alleged corruption committed by the mayor.

Councilor Poniman, who received the protesters, explained that the council had received similar complaints from different groups, and information from people defending the major.

However, he said, it was the West Java governor's decision to defend Djakaria as the Tangerang mayor.

The council also said the corruption allegations against Djakaria were being investigated by the local prosecutor's office. (41/jun)