'Where's your ID?'

BANYUMAS, Central Java: A local Election Supervision Committee official, enraged by a campaigner's speech about corruption among bureaucrats, jumped onto the stage at a rally Thursday and interrogated the campaigner.

"Where's your letter of authorization (to campaign)?" the official asked K.H. Imam Sya'roni of the United Development Party (PPP).

The surprised campaigner turned to the official and asked: "Who are you?"

The crowd at the rally watched as the two men argued and demanded to see each others' identity cards. The official ordered the rally to stop until the speaker produced his credentials.

Several PPP supporters became impatient with the indignant official so they dragged him off the stage and beat him until security personnel rescued him and whisked him away to safety.

Then the rally resumed. (wah)