Spiritual power for PPP supporters

DEMAK, Central Java: Thousands of United Development Party (PPP) supporters here believe they have the spiritual power to sustain any physical attack.

Spiritual leaders gave them the power in a ceremony Thursday. Some say the ceremony aimed to increase the supporters' self- confidence.

"Giving our supporters the inner power is urgent because they have become a prime target for harassment by supporters of a certain contender," said Muchlisin of the local PPP branch.

PPP supporters in Central Java have been involved in recent clashes with Golkar rivals.

Muchlisin said 10 PPP supporters had been injured since campaigning began on April 27.

"We hoped PPP supporters would not be afraid to join campaigning after receiving the power," he said. (har)