Probe into military role in Ambon conflict sought<\/p>\n
Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Maluku provincial councillors urged on Thursday the government-
\nsanctioned team probing violations of the law in the troubled
\nprovince to investigate the alleged involvement of security
\npersonnel in the prolonged sectarian conflict.<\/p>\n
During a meeting with the visiting investigation team, the
\ncouncillors also demanded a thorough investigation of all
\nmilitary and police commanders who were in office during the
\nclashes over the past three years. They include former Pattimura
\nmilitary commanders and former provincial police chiefs.<\/p>\n
Maluku saw three military commanders and five police chiefs
\nduring the cycle of bloodshed between Christians and Muslims who
\nhad once been friends and neighbors. More than 6,000 were killed
\nbefore peace came earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Bito Temmar of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\n(PDI Perjuangan) faction said he doubted the independency of the
\nteam, since it had to report the investigation results to the
\ngovernment whereas "it is assigned to probe alleged involvement
\nof security personnel who actually are part of the government".<\/p>\n
"I think the team has acknowledged that the conflict involved
\na separatist movement. But I wonder why this kind of rebellion
\nfollowed the sectarian conflict?" Bito asked, referring to the
\nSouth Maluku Republic (RMS) group and its military wing Maluku
\nLiberation Front (FKM).<\/p>\n
Other legislators present included: Lutfy Sanaky and Fatimah
\nKilwouw of the United Development Party (PPP) faction; Abdul Gani
\nSalampessy of the Upholder faction; Chris Sahetapy, Nico
\nPutilehalat, Monica Balubun, and Max Maswekan of the PDI
\nPerjuangan faction and Max Pentury and Hendrik Seriholo of the
\nBuilder faction.<\/p>\n
During the conflict in Ambon, the capital of Maluku, Jakarta
\nsent about 9,800 military troops there, not to mention hundreds
\nof police personnel.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the large number of security troops failed to
\nrestore security and order in the region, partly because they
\nfueled the conflict by siding with a certain group.<\/p>\n
The arrival of Laskar Jihad's hardline Muslim volunteers
\ncomplicated peace efforts. Later on, the government said that
\nseparatist groups RMS\/FKM had taken advantage of the chaos.<\/p>\n
In response to the demand, investigation team leader I Wayan
\nKarya said the team was established simply to find the facts.<\/p>\n
"Therefore it has no authority to conduct investigations into
\nalleged involvement of the security personnel," he said.<\/p>\n
But he admitted he understood that the legislators raised
\ntheir demand following accusations by many that the military had
\na vested interest to keep Ambon in a state of civil war.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/probe-into-military-role-in-ambon-conflict-sought-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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