Search for 'KM Mulya Star' ship survivors continues<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Rescuers continued on Monday the search
\nfor survivors of the KM Mulya Star ship carrying no less than 43
\npassengers and crew that sank off the Manipa strait near Buru
\nIsland in Central Maluku regency on Friday night.<\/p>\n
As of Monday afternoon, 15 people were still unaccounted for,
\nsaid Eastern Fleet security chief Commodore Djoko Sumaryono.<\/p>\n
\"We have started to evacuate a total of 25 survivors and three
\nbodies to their home village in Ieti of West Seram district,\"
\nDjoko said.<\/p>\n
He said three warships, a Nomad maritime surveillance aircraft
\nand a number of fishing boats were still searching for survivors.<\/p>\n
\"It's been three days since the ship sank due to strong waves
\nand wind.. but we will continue the effort until the search is no
\nlonger feasible. We have to be optimistic,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The wooden-hulled vessel was on its way from Piru in Seram
\nIsland to Probolinggo, a port in East Java, officials said. It
\nwas also loaded with 100 tons of dried coconut and 20 tons of
\ncloves.<\/p>\n
Ferry ships of this kind rarely come equipped with life
\njackets or life boats.<\/p>\n
Separately, a 34-passenger speedboat capsized in the waters
\noff Suli village in the Salahutu district of Central Maluku
\nregency at around 9:30 a.m. on Monday. All 33 people were saved,
\nbut one is being treated at the Halong Naval Hospital.<\/p>\n
The vessel was on its way from Masohi in the Seram islands to
\nthe Passo port in Ambon when huge waves hit the boat and rolled
\nit over, a hospital staff member said.<\/p>\n
\"They were saved by the coast guard and locals who witnessed
\nthe incident from Suli beach,\" the paramedic said.<\/p>\n
In July, a ferry carrying more than 500 Christian refugees and
\ncrew fleeing the ravaged Halmahera Island in North Maluku sank
\noff the Sangihe Talaud waters in North Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Masnait ferry carrying Maluku refugees sank
\noff Ambon in May, resulting in the death of more than 40 people.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Ambon, coordinator of expert staff for civil
\nemergency Paula Renyaan held an emergency briefing on Monday to
\ndiscuss an overnight \"provocative speech\" allegedly initiated by
\nLaskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah Al Jamaah (Jihad Force) commander Jafar
\nUmar Thalib. Also present at the meeting were Pattimura Military
\nCommand chief of staff Col. Agus Suyitno and Maluku Police deputy
\nchief Sr. Supt. Tommy Yacobus.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the Civil Emergency Post Maj. Marthen Luther
\nsaid the Jihad Force held a massive prayer on Sunday at the Al
\nFatah mosque in Waehaong area.<\/p>\n
The speech was also recorded and aired by the Gema Suara
\nMuslim Maluku radio station, causing tensions among residents, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"I have reported this to the civil emergency executors who are
\nstill in Jakarta to meet with President Abdurrahman Wahid.
\nMaluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, Pattimura Military chief Brig.
\nGen. I Made Yasa and Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani
\nare expected to arrive here on Tuesday,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The administration has recommended the radio station be
\nthoroughly checked.<\/p>\n
\"If it (the station) turned out to be illegal or helped spread
\nprovocative statements, we might ban it according to prevailing
\nregulations,\" officer Marthen added.<\/p>\n
\"The content of the recording aired was very provocative, such
\nas those saying that they (Jihad Force) will not stop until Ambon
\nis ruled by the Muslims,\" a local journalist said.<\/p>\n
Agus Wattimena, a local grass root leader, regretted the
\nincident.<\/p>\n
\"We do not need more war. I think if we want to start
\nreconciliation and rehabilitation, outsiders such as the Jihad
\nForce must stop provoking people and leave Maluku,\" he said.
\n(49\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/search-for-km-mulya-star-ship-survivors-continues-1447893297",
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