Civil emergency imposed in Maluku<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government has imposed a state of civil
\nemergency in Maluku and North Maluku to put an end to renewed
\nsectarian clashes which have heightened in intensity and
\nvoracity.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists after meeting top Cabinet and security
\nministers at the State Palace on Monday evening, President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid said the civil emergency status would begin at
\nmidnight on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"This decision was taken after a number of ministers met with
\nleaders of the House of Representatives and concluded that a
\nstate of civil emergency should immediately be imposed in Maluku
\nand North Maluku,\" Abdurrahman announced.<\/p>\n
Ad interim Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
\nSecurity Surjadi Soedirdja then read out presidential decree No.
\n88\/2000 stating the imposition of the civil emergency with the
\ngovernors of the two provinces heading the regional civil
\nemergency authority.<\/p>\n
\"The governors of Maluku and North Maluku will be assisted by
\nthe Pattimura Military commander, Maluku Police chief and head of
\nthe provincial prosecutor's office,\" Surjadi said, adding that
\nthe five-article decree was based on the 1959 Law on State
\nSecurity.<\/p>\n
He added that the civil emergency status would only be revoked
\nif the situation in both provinces \"has returned to normal\".<\/p>\n
When asked whether the government would send fresh
\nreinforcement troops to the provinces, Indonesian Military chief
\nAdm. Widodo A.S. said that \"it will depend on the situation on
\nthe ground\".<\/p>\n
\"So far, we already have 19 battalions there and last night we
\nsent another two companies from the Mobile Brigade,\" Widodo said.<\/p>\n
\"We will try our best to make use of the units that are
\nalready there to carry out the authority that has been given to
\nthe governors as the chief executive officers,\" he added.<\/p>\n
A civil emergency is one step away from a state of military
\nemergency, such as the one imposed during the height of violence
\nin East Timor in September last year.<\/p>\n
One notable difference is that in the latter, regional
\nemergency authority control would be in the hands of the
\nmilitary.<\/p>\n
With Monday's declaration, the regional civil emergency
\nauthority can ban public gatherings and impose a curfew on the
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra also said
\ntheir powers include imposing a media blackout, house-to-house
\nsearches for weapons and the tapping of telephone and radio
\ncommunications.<\/p>\n
The government has been forced to use the 1959 Law on State
\nSecurity since a newer bill passed by the House of
\nRepresentatives in 1999 was not ratified by the government due to
\nstrong public protests.<\/p>\n
The government is already in the process of revising the new
\nbill.<\/p>\n
The latest flare-up in Ambon has seen the situation digress
\ninto total chaos, with conservative estimates putting the number
\nof deaths at 52 since Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The renewed violence is a continuation of the ongoing strife
\nwhich has ripped the two provinces for one-and-a-half years. Over
\n3,000 people have died as a result.<\/p>\n
A significant development in Ambon on Monday was the handover
\nceremony of leaders of the Pattimura Military Command from Brig.
\nGen. Max Tamaela to Col. I Made Yasa in a closed ceremony at the
\nheadquarters of 733rd Masariku Airborne Infantry Battalion.<\/p>\n
Tamaela has been appointed commander of the Army's Center for
\nTerritorial Affairs.<\/p>\n
Tamaela reportedly flew back to Jakarta after the ceremony,
\nwhich was witnessed by Governor Saleh Latuconsina. Also present
\nwas outgoing Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. I Dewa Astika and his
\nappointed successor, Brig. Gen. Firman Gani.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, TVRI in Ambon broadcast scenes of Col. I
\nMade Yasa instructing troops after the ceremony.<\/p>\n
The reason behind the abrupt ceremony, which was not attended
\nby Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, was not clear as it
\nwas originally scheduled for Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Tamaela lauded his successor and said it was advantageous that
\nhe is a Hindu since he would not be perceived as favoring any of
\nthe warring camps.<\/p>\n
\"I will try my best to be neutral (in handling the riots) ...
\nI call on both warring parties to restrain themselves and stop
\nthe fights,\" I Made Yasa said.<\/p>\n
\"I've set July 1 as the deadline for the two rivals to hand
\nover their weapons or else they will be forced to hand them in,\"
\nhe said in a prerecorded message.<\/p>\n
Gunfire and explosions continued to wreck parts of Ambon on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
A policeman named George Sapulete died and at least three
\npeople were injured in a melee at Pohon Pule, Nania and Ahuru on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
Mobs were seen striking several areas, but security forces
\nwere reportedly able to disperse and block the rioters.<\/p>\n
About 1,000 refugees continued to remain at Ambon Police
\nHeadquarters, where they are seeking safety.<\/p>\n
All activities are paralyzed, including schools, shops and
\nbanks.(48\/49\/edt)<\/p>",
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