Shoot-on-site order issued in Maluku<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): The chief of Pattimura Military Command
\noverseeing Maluku, Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela, has issued a shoot-on-
\nsite order against anyone attempting to incite unrest.<\/p>\n
Tamaela was responding to rumors that there would be a new
\nflare-up of violence on Wednesday, which marks the first
\nanniversary of the eruption of the conflict.<\/p>\n
\"Don't play with the military. There will be no compromise.
\nThose found instigating riots will be shot,\" Tamaela said.<\/p>\n
Rumors have circulated that a rampage has been prepared to
\n\"commemorate\" the first year of the sectarian clash in Ambon.<\/p>\n
Tamaela said 12 military battalions stationed in Ambon were
\nready to anticipate any possible chaos.<\/p>\n
Tamaela also said Jan. 23 would be the deadline for civilians
\nto surrender guns, including homemade rifles.<\/p>\n
\"Those who violate the order will be sent to court,\" he said.
\nAccording to Indonesian law, civilians are prohibited from
\npossessing guns without a special permit.<\/p>\n
Tamaela also threatened to take stern measures against illegal
\nvendors of liquor. \"The deadline is also Jan. 23. Those violating
\nthe order will have to deal with the police,\" he said.<\/p>\n
What started as an argument between a student and a driver on
\nJan 19, 1999, erupted into a bloody year-long clash, which after
\nChristmas spread to the North Maluku area.<\/p>\n
Some 2,000 people have reportedly died and thousands more have
\nsought refuge.<\/p>\n
Tamaela said the military presently does not have an exact
\nfigure on the death toll.<\/p>\n
Clashes have been reported in the district of Leisitu, Central
\nMaluku, since Saturday due to fighting between residents of Wakal
\nand Hitu village. Seven have reportedly died.<\/p>\n
\"One of the victims was Sgt. Sugiono of the Airborne Squad,\"
\nTamaela said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a member of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus),
\nwho was arrested for violating the curfew on Saturday, escaped on
\nSunday before he could be interrogated at the local Military
\nPolice Headquarters in Ambon.<\/p>\n
Tamaela said the escapee was carrying his military identification
\ncard but had no travel papers.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, acting North Maluku Governor Surasmin said order
\nwas restored in the new province, although minor clashes were
\nreported in several districts.<\/p>\n
\"In general, the situation is under control,\" he said after a
\nmeeting with Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja.<\/p>\n
Surasmin said the new province was ready for local elections,
\nwhich are scheduled to take place in three new provinces on June
\n10.<\/p>\n
Despite the return of peace, chief of Bula Military post Capt.
\nY. Wattimena said hundreds of people were still in hiding in
\nforests on the island of Seram.<\/p>\n
Tamaela confirmed the report, adding that a search was under
\nway for at least 100 families of military veterans who migrated
\nto Masohi in Central Maluku, who were also in hiding in forests.<\/p>\n
Joint statement<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, leading religious and community figures from Maluku
\nended a two-day meeting on Tuesday in Jakarta and unanimously
\nagreed to stop the violence in their area.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement read out by Maluku Governor Saleh
\nLatuconsina, the participants agreed to end hatred and clashes
\nbetween Muslims and Christians.<\/p>\n
They also urged the military to take quick, firm, but just
\nmeasures in ending the violence, including confiscation of
\nweapons and punishment of guilty parties.<\/p>\n
\"The participants of the meeting agreed to stop clashes,
\nhostility and riots in Maluku which have claimed lives and caused
\nlosses for Muslims and Christians,\" they said in the statement.<\/p>\n
The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs
\nand attended by about 120 participants. Indonesian Military (TNI)
\nCommander Adm. Widodo A.S., and respected sociologist Selo
\nSoemardjan were among the key speakers at the meeting. The
\nministry's secretary-general, Marwan Saridjo, officially closed
\nthe meeting on Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Maluku chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council R.R.
\nHasanussi, Ambon Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi and Maluku
\nProtestant Church Synod chairman Sammy Titaley also attended the
\nforum.<\/p>\n
Hasanussi pledged to promote the agreement and said the
\nmilitary should not hesitate to take firm action against anyone.<\/p>\n
Mandagi expressed an apology to Muslims and Protestants in
\nMaluku because Catholics were also involved in the tragedy. \"We
\nhope that peace will come soon to Maluku,\" said the bishop.<\/p>\n
Titaley said he was committed to the agreement. \"We welcome
\nthe agreement to stop violence in Maluku,\" he said.
\n(49\/sur\/asa\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shoot-on-site-order-issued-in-maluku-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}