Tansil gives PPP trouble, too

DILI, East Timor: The Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) was reprimanded by the local Election Supervision Committee for naming names in alleged widespread corruption in Indonesia.

The party was accused of breaching the campaign rules Sunday when PPP campaigner Bela Mauboleng singled out Eddy Tansil as Indonesia's biggest swindler who escaped prison.

Local committee chairman Bonar Pardede said he had summoned Bela and warned him against breaching campaign rules. Bela admitted he was wrong and apologized, Antara reported.

Pardede said Bela also breached the campaign rules when he said that Eddy Tansil, who defrauded US$620 million from state- owned bank Bapindo in 1994, could escape prison for good but other people would have to spend six months behind bars for stealing a chicken.

About 200 people attended the PPP's first-day campaign rally here Sunday. (pan)