In search of Poso blast perpetrators<\/p>\n
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post\/Palu<\/p>\n
The religiously segregated town of Poso has been relatively
\npeaceful and calm during the past six months. Local residents are
\nuninhibited in carrying out their daily activities. Two disparate
\ncommunities, the Muslims and Christians of Poso who were
\npreviously involved in full-frontal conflict, have started to
\nintermingle.<\/p>\n
Residents of the Christian faith have been able to travel to
\nand from Muslim-dominated Poso; likewise, Muslims can now travel
\nto Christian majority areas.<\/p>\n
However, residents were again stunned by two separate
\nexplosions on the night of April 28. The first occurred around
\n7:50 p.m. local time in front of the Poso Reconciliation and
\nConflict Resolution Center (PRKP) head office at Jl. Brigjen
\nKatamso in Kasintuwu subdistrict, Poso. The second blast took
\nplace at 9:43 p.m. in front of the Civil Society Empowerment
\nCommission (LPMS) office at Jl. Monginsidi III in the Bone Sompe
\nsubdistrict. There were no casualties and only minor damage was
\nreported as a result of both explosions.<\/p>\n
However, the bombings have sparked speculation among local
\nresidents. Some believe that the explosions at both NGO offices
\nwere only to disrupt local elections due in June. Some assumed
\nthat the explosions were closely connected with the two NGOs'
\ninvestigations into the misappropriation of humanitarian aid
\nfunds in Poso. Others have expressed concern that a new group in
\nPoso was trying to set up a new conflict.<\/p>\n
Last, but not least, some even speculated that the bombs were
\nplanted by NGO activists themselves in an effort to seek public
\nsympathy. The NGO activists, however, have accused acting regent
\nof Poso, Andi Azikin Suyuti, as being behind the bombings that
\nwere directed at them.<\/p>\n
Azikin, who also heads the Central Sulawesi Social Welfare
\nOffice, is believed to be responsible for the distribution of
\nhumanitarian funds up until now. The NGOs have campaigned against
\nhis alleged involvement in misappropriation of humanitarian aid.<\/p>\n
\"We believe that Azikin was behind the bombings. He doesn't
\nwant to be disturbed so he perpetrated terror acts against us. We
\ndemand that be interrogated,\" said Iskandar Lamuka, chairman of
\nthe Poso LPMS.<\/p>\n
Poso police are investigating the argument that the bombings
\nwere linked to the activists uncovering the graft case.<\/p>\n
\"The two organizations have been active in unraveling the
\nfacts on the embezzlement of humanitarian funds. So, on the face
\nof it, we suggest the bombings are linked to the problem,\" said
\nPoso police Deputy Chief Commissioner Ricky Naldo.<\/p>\n
Central Sulawesi Police Deputy Chief Sr. Comr. Sukirno said
\nthe police could not yet disclose the motive behind the blasts.<\/p>\n
However, the police are focussing on two motives that were
\nlikely to be behind the bombings; the regional direct elections
\nin June and the problematic Poso refugee funds.<\/p>\n
Contacted separately, acting Poso Regent Andi Azikin Suyuti
\nrejected the activist's accusations. He said that the NGOs had
\nother vested interests.<\/p>\n
There were several possibilities, he claimed. After he
\nreplaced Muin Pusadan as regent, Poso was relatively peaceful and
\nMuslim and Christian residents had been able to live with each
\nother.<\/p>\n
Tentena, which was regarded as the most dangerous area for
\nMuslims, can now be visited, and they can even stay the night at
\ntourist sites. \"The NGOs may possibly lose peace and
\nreconciliation projects if Poso is already peaceful, so they
\naccused me of the blasts,\" Azikin postulated.<\/p>\n
He said that the activists might have blown up their
\nrespective offices, thus creating the impression that Poso was
\nstill not safe, in order that they could obtain further funding.<\/p>\n
On accusations that he did not want to be bothered with the
\nPoso refugee funds case, Azikin said that the funds were
\ninitially disbursed by the central government (Ministry of Social
\nWelfare). Funds were then handed over to the Central Sulawesi
\nprovincial administration (social welfare office), and later to
\nthe Poso regental administration, which then distributed them to
\nthe refugees, at Rp 2.5 million (US$263) per person.<\/p>\n
\"The problem emerged during distribution of funds from the
\nPoso regental administration to the refugees. That was when the
\nfunds were embezzled. I have submitted all the evidence and
\nverified the matter with the police. The accusations are
\nbaseless,\" said Azikin.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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