Yogyakarta tense after clashes

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Tension engulfed the tourist city of Yogyakarta on Sunday as hundreds of supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) clashed here with groups of local people, leaving several people seriously wounded and several vehicles burned or damaged.

Security authorities closed several main streets including Jl. Malioboro and Jl. Solo to motorists following the violence that also involved supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Security forces were on guard at the entrance of the two important locations, which are the heart of the city's trading center.

A number of businesses were shut down due to fear of being targeted by attackers.

The clashes broke out in several parts of Yogyakarta, where convoys of PPP supporters marched across the city in motorcades after attending a party rally that marked its 28th anniversary in the town's north square.

Witnesses said the violence began when the rally marchers were banging their motorcycles and jeering at different groups of passersby on the same streets.

Local residents including PDI Perjuangan supporters were angry with what they considered to be the arrogant attitude of PPP marchers.

Physical clashes were unavoidable in several locations such as on Jl. Kusumanegara (Muja-Muju), Jl. Urip Sumoharjo (Jl. Solo), Jl. Suprapto (Ngampilan) and Jl. Parangtritis (Prawirotaman).

Brawls also erupted on Jl. Mataram, Jl. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto (Kuncen), Jl. Wahid Hasyim (Notoprajan), and Jl. Gandekan (Sosrowijayan).

Many troops and police personnel stood guard across the city to prevent further violence from breaking out as rivals were rumored to launch retaliatory attacks.

Up until Sunday night, tight security was provided at the site of the brawls.

Several cars and motorcycles were set ablaze or damaged during the clashes that also seriously wounded several people.

Mujiono, a resident from Ngadiwinatan, was among those severely injured in a clash on Jl. Solo. His motorcycle was burned by rivals.

Another victim Aji Setiaji, a resident from Cokrokusuman Jetis, is undergoing intensive treatment at the Bethesda General Hospital in Yogyakarta for serious injuries.

It was not clear whether the injured people were members of PPP or not.

The violence had been anticipated by security task forces belonging to both PPP and PDI Perjuangan several days before Sunday's anniversary rally was held.

There was no explanation why local leaders of the political parties were powerless to control their respective supporters during the rally.