Small bomb tests Ambon's fragile peace<\/p>\n
Oktavianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon<\/p>\n
The fragile peace in Ambon was shattered on Tuesday when a
\nhomemade bomb exploded near a public transportation vehicle in
\nthe predominantly Muslim area of Batu Merah, which led to stone
\nthrowing and the torching of a vehicle belonging to the local
\ndiocese.<\/p>\n
The violence erupted while four ministers and several other
\nofficials from Jakarta were meeting with the interim Maluku
\ngovernor, Sinyo Harry Sarundayang, at his residence in the Mangga
\nDua area.<\/p>\n
Three men were wounded, one from the explosion and two from
\nthe stone pelting, which shattered the windows of the targeted
\nvehicle. The back window of another vehicle was shattered from
\nthe explosion.<\/p>\n
Following the incident at about 10:45 a.m., nearby roads were
\nclosed, while other streets became immediately deserted. The
\nsituation returned to normal in the afternoon, however, employees
\nand other office workers went home early.<\/p>\n
\"People are fed up, they're not easily influenced,\" said
\nDonald H., a public transportation driver.<\/p>\n
The wounded were First Sgt. Edi Suatima of the artillery
\nbattalion, driver Edi Singkeri and another driver, Agus Soulili.<\/p>\n
The incident, one of many since the Malino peace agreement was
\nsigned on Feb. 23 last year, \"is one of several attempts by
\nirresponsible people who wish to create disruptive conditions,\"
\nMaluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Pol. Bambang Sutrisno said.<\/p>\n
Police are searching for a man who is about 1.60 meters tall
\nand wearing a yellow jacket and black trousers.<\/p>\n
The Malino agreement has brought relative peace to the area.
\nNevertheless, at least five explosions and more than 10 bomb
\nthreats have attempted to shatter the frail peace.<\/p>\n
People in Maluku have become less easily provoked than before,
\nespecially with the exit of the Laskar Jihad Islamic militia and
\nthe arrest of separatist Maluku Sovereignty Forum (FKM) leader
\nAlex Manuputty, police said.<\/p>\n
Manuputty, who is facing criminal charges in Jakarta, was in
\nAmbon on Tuesday to attend last week's meeting of traditional
\nleaders. He is scheduled to attend a court hearing in Jakarta on
\nMonday, however, he arrived in Ambon last Saturday, together with
\nNational Police chief Gen. Dai Bachtiar.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Herry Koedoeboen told The Jakarta Post that he was
\nnot informed that the defendant would not be appearing in court,
\nand his continued presence in Ambon, together with another FKM
\nleader, Semmy Waeleruny, has raised speculation as to whether the
\nexplosion was an attempt to discredit the FKM.<\/p>",
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