Surabaya – Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung has warned of reprisals after ruling-party supporters were attacked for the second time in two days.

Dozens of trucks carrying Golkar supporters from Probolonggo to a political rally on Sunday were stopped at a toll gate and harassed by supporters wearing red-coloured clothing of the Indonesian Democratic Party-Perjuangan (PDI-Struggle), it was reported yesterday. Witnesses said there were brief skirmishes between Golkar supporters and their assailants but police were quick to quell the clashes. There were no reports of injury.

Mr Tandjung warned on Sunday that the ruling party would not remain passive if the attacks continued. Visibly upset by the incident, he said at the rally that Golkar had asked the local security authorities to ensure safe passage for the supporters.

"They could not do much. They even told our supporters to go home," he said, adding that the attacks showed some political parties were not ready for democracy.

He told about 80,000 supporters who made it to the stadium that Golkar would not resort to force and would pursue the matter through legal channels. "It's not that we're afraid. We love peace. Golkar loves unity. But if this continues, we shall rise. We shall rise against evil forces," he said.

On Friday, Golkar supporters were pelted, also by people in PDI-Struggle outfits, as they tried to attend a party rally in the Central Java town of Purbalingga.

Mr Tandjung said: "Golkar will not stand for this inhumane treatment. In Purbalingga, the car I was in was pelted. My adjutant was injured. The women were told to remove their Golkar shirts."

PDI-Struggle officials have denied their supporters were responsible for the attacks on Golkar members. During her recent visit to Singapore, party chief Megawati Sukarnoputri rejected accusations that her party members were rowdy and lacking in discipline.

Mr Tandjung spent the long Easter weekend on the campaign trail for "political education" for Golkar. His entourage included fellow Cabinet members Theo Sambuaga and Hayono Suyono, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare. It was not clear whether this breached the electoral code of conduct.

The General Elections Commission ruled last week that parties cannot enlist the services of current Cabinet ministers in their campaign.