Solving Maluku conflict<\/p>\n
I am commenting on the front page article of The Jakarta Post
\non May 13, titled Expelling militant groups from Maluku is not a
\nsolution.<\/p>\n
The article quotes a sociologist as saying: \"When it does not
\nguarantee security, expelling those groups (Muslim militant group
\nLaskar Jihad and Christian militant group Laskar Kristus) will
\nnot bring a major positive impact to Maluku\".<\/p>\n
I am sick and tired of statements that like that being given
\nprominence in the media. Such statements do not recommend any
\nsolutions, only criticism and pessimism.<\/p>\n
The Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, the IRA in Northern Ireland,
\nETA in Spain, have been wreaking havoc among the civilian
\npopulation for dozens of years. The best security forces and
\npolice tactics, the best politicians have not been able to put
\nthese movements to rest. But the governments of the afflicted
\ncountries and the police and security forces have not stopped
\ntrying to stop these terrorist groups from doing more harm and
\nhave not stopped trying to protect the civilian population.<\/p>\n
In Maluku three years of sectarian conflict have taken 6,000
\nlives, maybe more, and not a single person has been jailed or
\nsentenced. Surely it can't be too difficult to identify the
\nperpetrators of terror, those who carry guns and sharp weapons on
\nthe streets. How stupid can we be? Now at long last, the
\ngovernment is issuing a directive ordering vigilantes (because
\nthat is what Laskar Jihad and Laskar Kristus are, people who take
\nthe law into their own hands) to be expelled from Maluku, and
\nlaunching door-to-door raids, disarming these vigilantes.<\/p>\n
I would say to the government and especially to Coordinating
\nMinister Bambang Yudhoyono: Don't heed comments by Laskar Jihad,
\nsociologists and others who doubt the effectiveness of these
\ndirectives. Carry on and protect the civilian Muslim and
\nChristian populations alike.<\/p>\n
I am sure most of the ordinary citizens of Indonesia like me,
\napplaud your action rather than inaction. I would say to you, be
\nforceful in trying to restore law and order. We can fight for our
\ncauses in a democratic way, within the confines of law and order.
\nI am sure most ordinary Indonesian are behind you; we are all for
\npeace, we are all against violence and terror.<\/p>\n
INKE MARIS<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/solving-maluku-conflict-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }