Street brawls mar Golkar rally in Sout Sulawesi
Street brawls mar Golkar rally in Sout Sulawesi
UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Street brawls marred Golkar
party chief Harmoko's visit here yesterday for the last day of
campaigning.
The unrest occurred in Ujung Tanah subdistrict, known to be a
United Development Party (PPP) stronghold, when Golkar supporters
riding trucks and motorcycles were pelted with stones by
residents.
The Golkar supporters stopped and threw stones at the
residents' houses, causing widespread damage, eyewitnesses said.
The situation was brought under control at about 6 p.m. when
marines were sent in to reinforce the overwhelmed riot police.
There was no immediate report on casualties or the extent of
the damage.
Eyewitnesses said the Golkar supporters involved in the
violence had been unable to get into the rally venue at the
Karebosi soccer field.
The main attraction at the rally was the Dangdut folk music
show by Rhoma Irama, a former PPP supporter who has crossed to
Golkar, and several other singers from Jakarta.
Golkar, which is looking to win more than 90 percent of the
vote in South Sulawesi, also fielded senior provincial party
officials Beddu Amang, Andi Matalatta and Tanri Abeng.
Harmoko told the crowd that people should vote for Golkar if
they wanted to see the nation's development continue.
Realistic
"Vote for the contestant which has the ability to develop
Indonesia. Golkar is the most realistic choice," said Harmoko,
who appeared on stage with his wife, Sri Harmoko, who is a Golkar
candidate in Central Java.
He said Golkar had the professionalism and experience that
Indonesia needed to develop. "Golkar has the concept and
expertise," he said to the crowd's thunderous applause.
Golkar started campaigning last month in the West Java town of
Lebak, one of Indonesia's poorest areas, and ended it in
Ujungpandang, the fastest growing city in the eastern provinces.
Harmoko called on the public to maintain peace and order
during the cooling-off period, which starts today and lasts until
May 28, the day before the election day.
"Beware of people wanting to provoke and slander others with
the aim to foil the election," he said.
In the Southeast Sulawesi capital Kendari, a truck packed with
Golkar supporters overturned, killing six people and injuring 63
others, 11 seriously.
Antara reported that the accident happened at about 7:15 a.m.
in Pohara village, 26 kilometers west of Kendari.
The truck overturned while taking a sharp bend. It was
reportedly traveling at 15 kilometers per hour. (pan/30/31/37)