Three held for bringing weapons

YOGYAKARTA: Yogyakarta Police detained on Saturday three supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) for bringing sharp weapons, including machetes and arrows, to rallies.

They were arrested while traveling by motorcycle on Jl. Katamso in Mergangsan, Yogyakarta. Police found the weapons in a random inspection on motorists campaigning for the PPP.

The three were Sapto Banu Purnomo, 19, who brought three arrows and an archer's bow, Maralaga, 24, who brought a machete and Subardi, 28, who brought an iron pipe.

Yogyakarta Police operations head Comr. Imran Siregar said police also ticketed about 50 motorists for traffic infringements during the inspection.

Crime bureau chief Comr. Endi Sutendi said the three would go to court for breaking the law on state emergencies that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' jail.

Earlier in the campaign period, four supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) were arrested for bringing weapons. They were Teguh Santoso, who brought a sword, Bertho Immanuel Lumenpo, who had a machete; Rahmat Wibawa with a sword; and Yuniarso Eko Dwiputro, who had a bayonet. -- JP