Government 'will not wash its hands of problems' in Maluku<\/p>\n
TERNATE, North Maluku (JP): Demands for concrete action to
\nresolve the prolonged conflict in Maluku greeted Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri when she addressed thousands of people
\nhere on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Megawati, on a three-day visit to Maluku, told the crowd
\ngathered in the compound of the governor's office that the
\ngovernment \"will not wash its hands of the problems plaguing the
\nMaluku people\".<\/p>\n
She called on the people of Maluku to stop fighting and begin
\nreconciliatory talks. But when she stopped short of detailing
\nconcrete measures by the government to resolve the conflict, a
\nrepresentative of the local office of the Indonesian Council of
\nUlemas, Thamid Ibrahim, rose to interrupt the Vice President.<\/p>\n
\"We don't need your explanations. Will you please just explain
\nyour concepts and policies for us,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A composed Megawati asked Thamid to remain calm, saying anger
\nwould not solve the problem.<\/p>\n
\"Reconciliation will not last long if it is built on a weak
\nfoundation. It's now up to the people's goodwill to establish
\npeace and reconciliation,\" Megawati continued.<\/p>\n
The Vice President said her visit to the territory was aimed
\nat hearing the wishes of the people before drawing up policies to
\ncope with the protracted communal clashes involving Muslims and
\nChristians in Maluku and North Maluku.<\/p>\n
Among her entourage are Coordinating Minister for Political
\nAffairs and Security Gen. Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for
\nPeople's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Basri Hasanudin, State
\nMinister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid, State Minister of
\nResettlement Erna Witoelar, Indonesian Military chief Adm. Widodo
\nand National Police chief Lt. Gen. Roesdihardjo.<\/p>\n
North Maluku Governor Surasmin told Megawati a total of 1,655
\npeople had been killed and 1,219 injured in the newly established
\nprovince. Another 2,300 people are hiding in the jungles of
\nHalmahera island after fleeing the violence.<\/p>\n
Minor clashes were still being reported in several villages on
\nthe island during Megawati's visit.<\/p>\n
Shortly after arriving at Baabullah Airport here from the
\nMaluku capital of Ambon, Megawati and her entourage made a 20-
\nminute stop-over at refugee camps at Dufa-Dufa and Jambula.<\/p>\n
Some 500 meters from the airport, students from private
\nKhairun University staged a protest, unfurling banners calling
\nfor the government to take immediate action to aid the refugees.
\nSecurity personnel dispersed the students before the Vice
\nPresident's entourage passed.<\/p>\n
Tears<\/p>\n
Earlier on Tuesday in Ambon, Megawati consoled both Muslims
\nand Christians being treated at local hospitals for injuries
\nsustained during sectarian clashes.<\/p>\n
She burst into tears at the sight of the ruins of Maranatha
\nChurch and Al Fatah Mosque, which were built during the tenure of
\nher father, founding president Sukarno.<\/p>\n
\"My father laid the cornerstones for the two buildings, which
\nwere supposed to be the religious pride of Ambon,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Megawati also donated Rp 150 million in cash and medicine to
\nMuslim and Christian groups. The chairman of the Al Fatah
\nfoundation, Abdullah Soulisa, received the donation for the
\nMuslim groups, and the chairman of the Maluku Protestant Church
\nSynod, Rev. Sammy Titaley, represented the Christian groups.<\/p>\n
In a related development, the leader of the Commission of
\nInquiry into Violence in Maluku, Bambang W. Soeharto, expressed
\nguarded optimism the commission could mediate between the warring
\ngroups. He also urged the government to focus greater attention
\non the problems in the territory.<\/p>\n
\"I have met the two groups and both are willing to meet for
\npeace talks,\" he said, adding that the military should deploy
\ntroops to areas prone to clashes and erect roadblocks to keep the
\nwarring parties separated.<\/p>\n
Bambang and his colleague Soegiri visited Tobelo district and
\nMalifut and Kao, both in Jailolo district, on Monday.
\n(49\/emf\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-will-not-wash-its-hands-of-problems-in-maluku-1447893297",
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