Ambon (ANTARA) \u2014<\/p>\n
When disputes arise in a community, their effects do not necessarily\nremain limited to those directly involved. Misunderstandings can spill\nover into relations between groups, fuel tensions among residents and\neven develop into wider conflict if they are not resolved promptly.<\/p>\n
In Maluku, preventing this requires more than the presence of\nsecurity forces once tensions begin to rise. Customary institutions\nembedded in community life, trusted figures who mediate disputes, and\nthe role of government and police in identifying areas of vulnerability\nall form part of efforts to maintain peace.<\/p>\n
These efforts proceed along several interconnected paths: resolving\nproblems at community level, strengthening communication between groups,\nmapping potential conflicts and enforcing the law to ensure that peace\nagreements do not disregard victims\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n
For Maluku\u2019s Indigenous communities, a negeri is more than an\nadministrative area. It encompasses histories of origin, kinship ties,\nsocial institutions and inherited values that guide communal life.<\/p>\n
Renny Nendissa, a law academic at Pattimura University, emphasised\nthe important role of customary law in resolving issues at negeri level\nand restoring social relations within communities.<\/p>\n
However, customary law cannot be used to remove criminal liability,\nparticularly in serious cases such as murder.<\/p>\n
Customary settlements can create space for dialogue and agreements\nbetween parties, while national law provides protection and legal\ncertainty. Each must be applied according to its proper function so that\npeace efforts continue to take justice into account.<\/p>\n
Decky Tanasale, secretary-general of the Maluku Latupatti Council,\ndescribed customary law as a foundation of community life passed down by\nthe ancestors. He stressed the importance of the roles played by the\nraja, or customary leader, and the Saniri Negeri council in resolving\nproblems before they develop into wider disputes.<\/p>\n
A customary approach to defusing conflict has been used in Southeast\nMaluku Regency. The Southeast Maluku Police, together with the local\ngovernment, the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), and\ncommunity and customary leaders, applied sasi hawear and a customary\noath to stop repeated clashes in several locations, including Ohoijang\nand Karang Tagepe.<\/p>\n
The ritual, which began on 28 March 2025 at Landmark Park in\nOhoijang, was accompanied by security patrols and public outreach led by\ncustomary figures. Several locations previously prone to clashes have\nremained safe and calm since the sasi was imposed. It has not yet been\nlifted.<\/p>\n
The experience shows how customary institutions can form part of\nefforts to halt disputes. Sustaining peace, however, still requires\ncommitment from the parties in conflict, continued monitoring and an\nappropriate response where criminal offences have occurred.<\/p>\n
Decky also highlighted the concept of the \u201cthree stones of the\nhearth\u201d \u2014 government, customary institutions and religion \u2014 as\ncomplementary pillars in community life. Together, they are expected to\nbuild communication and prevent differences from turning into\nconfrontation.<\/p>\n
Rosa Yuliana Imoliana, head of the Maluku Provincial Secretariat\u2019s\nLegal Bureau, said the regional government was encouraging stronger\ncustomary institutions through regulations that would provide a legal\nframework for the administration of customary villages in Maluku.<\/p>\n
This strengthening is important to ensure that customary\ninstitutions\u2019 status and authority have a clear legal basis in\ngovernance, while allowing them to continue their role in community\nlife.<\/p>\n
Maluku Police public relations chief Rositah Umasugi said resolving\ncommunity problems requires collective effort and an approach that\nprioritises peace. Disputes between groups, for example, must not be\nallowed to spread and harm other residents who were not involved.<\/p>\n
A community-based approach is one starting point for preventing\nconflict. Its success, however, depends on the parties\u2019 willingness to\nengage in dialogue, honour agreements and respect the applicable legal\nprocess.<\/p>\n
Reading the warning signs before conflict escalates<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/maintaining-peace-in-maluku-from-customary-oaths-to-conflict-mapping-1793202744", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }