Suspected RMS rebels arrested in Ambon<\/p>\n
Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku<\/p>\n
The police arrested nine suspected members of the South Maluku
\nRepublic (RMS) secessionist movement on Saturday, including its
\nalleged armed forces commander, just one week before the rebels
\ncelebrate their anniversary on April 25.<\/p>\n
The nine were identified as Jhon Rea, the alleged RMS armed
\nwing commander, Piter Rea, Johanis Tuhuteru, Jefri Soulisa,
\nYoseph Lesnussa, Elisa Roberto Mathenahoruw, Reinhard Nanlohy,
\nPhilipus Nurlatu, and Sandi Lalopua.<\/p>\n
The arrests were made in a house in the Batuh Gajah Atas area
\nof Ambon at around 9 p.m. on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Ambon and Lease islands police chief Adj. Sen. Comm. Teguh
\nBudi Prasojo told reporters on Sunday the nine were arrested
\nwhile holding a secret meeting in the house of Jhon Rea to
\ndiscuss plans to hoist the independence flag on the movement's
\nanniversary.<\/p>\n
"They were arrested while holding a secret meeting. We will
\ncontinue tracking down those involved in the banned
\norganization," said Teguh.<\/p>\n
Teguh said the police also confiscated documents detailing the
\nRMS's activities in Maluku and the Netherlands as evidence.<\/p>\n
The nine, according to Teguh, denied any link with the Maluku
\nSovereignty Front (FKM) which had openly announced its plan to
\nhoist the independence flag on April 25. The FKM is headed by
\nAlexander Manuputty, who was sentenced to three years in jail for
\nsubversion.<\/p>\n
Separately, a soldier opened fire on a suspected supporter of
\nthe RMS in the Kudamati area of Ambon after he refused to be
\nsearched during a security operation in the area.<\/p>\n
The security authorities, including the police, have issued
\nwarnings against the hoisting of the RMS flag on April 25. They
\nhave pledged to get tough against anyone participating in such a
\nflag-hoisting.<\/p>\n
People loyal to Dutch colonial rule declared the establishment
\nof the Republic of South Maluku in 1950 and staged a revolt
\nagainst the newly independent Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The rebellion was suppressed but activists, mainly in the
\nNetherlands, launched a failed campaign for international
\nrecognition.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/suspected-rms-rebels-arrested-in-ambon-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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