Marines get new assignment in Maluku<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In wake of an explosion that ripped through a passenger ferry,
\nkilling nine people and injuring dozens more, Maluku Governor
\nSaleh Latuconsina has ordered the Marine Corps to escort ships
\nand patrol seaports in the war-torn province.<\/p>\n
The governor took the action after consulting with local
\nsecurity officials; the Marines will effectively replace officers
\nfrom the National Police's Mobile Brigade.<\/p>\n
Under the new policy, the Marine units will be in charge of
\nmonitoring all seaports, along with all ships and boats entering
\nand leaving the province, especially in Ambon Bay.<\/p>\n
The increased security will also include the coordinated
\nefforts of provincial police and intelligence agents as well as
\nother branches of law enforcement through the holidays, the
\ngovernor said here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Local police officials are still looking into the cause of the
\nexplosion that rocked the California as it traveled between
\nGudang Arang in Nasawine subdistrict and Galala in Sirimau
\nsubdistrict last Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Of the 41 people injured in the blast, many remain in critical
\ncondition, and are undergoing intensive medical treatment at the
\nNavy's hospital and Dr. Haulussy General Hospital in Ambon.<\/p>\n
Under a civil state of emergency, imposed to resolve the
\nconflict that erupted on Jan. 19, 1999, the provincial
\nadministration can no longer take any direct action, but is
\nrequired to enforce martial law.<\/p>\n
The ongoing sectarian strife has claimed in excess of 5,000
\nmilitary and civilian lives, and left tens of thousands more
\ninjured and displaced.<\/p>\n
Separately, the Maluku legislative leadership has called on
\nlocal military and police officials to improve their performance,
\nespecially in intelligence, to take preventative measures against
\nacts of terror following the ship explosion.<\/p>\n
\"All intelligence officers must improve their performance to
\nwarn both the executive (branch) and the public in anticipation
\nof any new violence,\" Etty Sahuburua, chairwoman of the
\nprovincial legislative council, said.<\/p>\n
She cautioned that new clashes and acts of violence against
\ncivilians could erupt even by accident, despite the tougher
\nrulings under the state of emergency.<\/p>\n
\"The security apparatus, both from the police and military,
\nshould work in unison to calm the situation, regardless of their
\nreligious background,\" she said. And, in addition, be vigilant
\nagainst \"provocative actions that could worsen the situation,\"
\nshe continued.<\/p>\n
She pledged that the legislative council would do its best to
\nassist authorities in their fight to impose order, despite
\nshortages of needed facilities and equipment.<\/p>\n
The legislature, she added, has already agreed to increase the
\nprovince's 2002 security budget for this reason.<\/p>\n
Law No. 23\/1959 allows the Maluku governor, among others,<\/p>\n
- to make rulings necessary to restore security and order
\n - to order crackdowns by police and military officials on all
\nplaces through general and special assignments
\n - to seize any material suspected of being used to disturb the
\npeace
\n - to bar local people from holding general meetings and marches
\nand entering areas and buildings prone to clashes
\n - to limit local people to areas just outside of their houses<\/p>",
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