Can this peace hold?<\/p>\n
The events that have occurred in the past few days in Ambon,
\nthe main trading port and capital city of the province of Maluku,
\nreveal a number of developments that are most certainly worth
\nkeeping track of. It is true that so far, the reports from Ambon
\nthat have reached Jakarta have brought us news that can only be
\ndescribed as not only favorable, but favorable beyond
\nexpectation. Sunday's minor incident, however, may serve as a
\nwarning that, at least at this moment, all is not quite well in
\nAmbon, not to mention the rest of Maluku.<\/p>\n
To encapsulate in the proverbial nutshell the developments of
\nthe past few days in Maluku: Last Thursday, without any prior
\ndisclosure or forewarning, thousands of residents, Muslims and
\nChristians alike, started joyously parading side by side through
\nthe streets of Ambon, on foot and in motorcades, celebrating the
\npeace that has descended on the province in the wake of the
\nsecond Malino peace conference last month. Reports made mention
\nof people embracing each other in the streets, old friends
\nstarted visiting each other again with no regard of ethnic
\ngrouping or religion and markets and shopping malls were filled
\nwith people. This spontaneous public expression of reconciliation
\nand joy followed a mass rally by thousands of people on Wednesday
\nto promote the Malino peace accord. The joyful mood extended into
\nthe following days.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, however, a small incident occurred that could
\nhave put an end to the celebratory mood just as abruptly as it
\nstarted. A group of reportedly drunken high school students
\npelted participants in the march, injuring at least five.
\nFortunately, the marchers refused to let themselves be provoked
\nand the incident was quickly contained so no further violence
\noccurred. Instead, it provided an opportunity for Muslims to give
\nexpression to their community spirit by protecting Christians
\ntrapped inside.<\/p>\n
Obviously, this newly refound spirit of communal belonging is
\nsomething to be glad about. Nevertheless, Saturday's incident,
\nhowever small, is a stark reminder for Indonesians that a
\nsustained peace in Ambon, or in Maluku, must not be taken for
\ngranted. It is worth keeping in mind that the past three years of
\nstrife in Maluku began with a meaningless spat over a bus fare.<\/p>\n
There are a number of possible reasons why such an
\ninsignificant incident can grow into a major conflict that killed
\nthousands, claimed innumerable amounts of property damage and
\ntook three years to pacify. Animosity between groups due to
\neither feelings of ethnic chauvinism or perceived economic or
\nsocial injustices are among them. One other possible cause that
\ncannot simply be brushed off under current political
\ncircumstances, however, is that agents provocateurs are at work
\nto stir up trouble for reasons only they and the ones behind them
\nknow for certain.<\/p>\n
In any case, now that we have come to a point in Maluku's
\nhistory where peace is emerging as a viable alternative to
\nstrife, it is the duty of every Indonesian citizen to help in
\nfurther promoting that peace process. This goes first and
\nforemost for all the leaders in the region, formal and informal,
\nwho are responsible for maintaining communal peace and harmony in
\nthe area.<\/p>\n
For the security authorities in Ambon under Governor Saleh
\nLatuconsina this means that first priority must be given to the
\nenforcement of the law. The erstwhile prevailing spirit of
\ncommunal harmony must be restored. For this purpose, warring
\nMuslim and Christian groups must be disarmed and groups or
\norganizations of militants who have no business being in Maluku
\nmust be made to leave. The provincial judiciary must be made
\nfunctional again.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, the job before us is not an easy one. But peace in
\nMaluku can only be maintained and social harmony restored by
\npersevering where perseverance is needed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/can-this-peace-hold-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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