Robert Go, Jakarta – They think that the tougher-looking they are, the better. And so, members of Indonesian political parties' youth wings wear dark sunglasses, bandanas or berets and military boots and fatigues.

Their stated mission is to preserve the peace, but in their minds, that may include pushing people around from time to time. Some of them, however, have a history of creating trouble and getting into frequent scuffles, and are allegedly involved in running protection rackets.

In Yogyakarta yesterday, around 30 armed men wearing uniforms of President Megawati Sukarnoputri's PDI-P party ransacked a car shop on their way home from a political rally.

Political analyst Umar Juoro said parties must keep a tight leash on their youth wings if the campaigning period were to stay peaceful and orderly.

Mr Subakti, 21, who proudly sports the colours of the PDI-P, said: "We're here to keep order. We don't want fights, but we won't allow anyone to insult us either."