Maluku residents don't need help from outsiders<\/p>\n
By Fabiola Desy Unidjaja<\/p>\n
LANGGOR, Maluku (JP): Representatives from across Maluku
\ngathered on Thursday to begin a three-day discussion aimed at
\nfinding a solution to the prolonged sectarian conflict that has
\nplagued the area since 1999.<\/p>\n
Some 1,500 people from different backgrounds and religions
\nenthusiastically gathered here to take part in the event, saying
\nthey were tired of living their lives in the shadow of the
\ncontinuing conflict.<\/p>\n
\"We do not want to find ourselves in this horrible situation
\never again. We are tired, we want our lives to return to normal,\"
\nBastian Leonopo, a representative from West Southeast Maluku
\nregency, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Bastian, along with some 50 others from the regency, traveled
\nby boat since Monday to reach the site of the discussion on Key
\nisland, which is part of the Aru islands. During the event, they
\nwill stay in the houses of local residents.<\/p>\n
\"Let us find a solution to these clashes in our own way,
\nbecause we have our own traditions and culture that will be more
\neffective in ending the dispute. The presence of people from
\noutside (the province) will only worsen the situation,\" he
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
\"There might still be hatred among us, as some of us have lost
\nloved ones. Still we cannot remain in this situation forever. We
\nwill find a solution,\" Bastian added.<\/p>\n
Junior Minister of the Acceleration of Development in Eastern
\nIndonesia Manuel Kaisiepo officially opened the event, which was
\norganized by the Go-East Institute.<\/p>\n
The discussion is meant to facilitate a reconciliation between
\nthe warring parties in the province, helping them decide on and
\nplan measures to end the sectarian conflict using their own ideas
\nand culture.<\/p>\n
Another representatives, Elis Lesmopo from Ambon mayoralty,
\nsaid that in the past two years people in Ambon had lost hope of
\never living as a normal community again.<\/p>\n
\"Now, even though there is no more shooting, we still cannot
\nlive together peacefully as we did before. As a Christian, it is
\nimpossible for me to visit Muslim areas. It is so difficult to
\nlive like that,\" Elis told the Post.<\/p>\n
There are some 200 people representing Ambon at the event,
\nincluding local religious leaders and representatives of numerous
\nsocial and youth organizations, including the Indonesian Muslim
\nStudents Association and the Indonesian Catholic Students
\nAssociation.<\/p>\n
The tension could still be detected in the faces of the
\nrepresentatives from Ambon, where the violence originally began
\nand the last area to enjoy a resumption of peace, however uneasy.<\/p>\n
The small town of Langgor has been enlivened by the presence
\nof representatives from Ambon, Southeast Maluku, North Maluku,
\nBuru island and the Aru islands.<\/p>\n
Many of the participants traveled for days to reach the small
\nKey island. However, the long journey did not dampen their
\nenthusiasm and they were anxious to find a way to end the
\nconflict and begin rebuilding their communities.<\/p>\n
\"It is a very tiring job for us to serve these people. But it
\nis worth it for the sake of our own community,\" one Langgor
\nresident said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/maluku-residents-dont-need-help-from-outsiders-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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