12 Vietnamese stranded in Maluku

12 Vietnamese stranded in Maluku

TUAL, Maluku: Twelve Vietnamese boat people became stranded in
Tual, Southeast Maluku Regency, on Thursday, while making their
way to Australia.

Adj. Sr. Comr. Rana S.P., chief of the Southeast Maluku Police
Precinct, said here on Friday that the Vietnamese boat people
would be handed over to the local immigration office.

"The boat people have been placed in a building in the police
barracks in town for the time being while waiting for the local
immigration office's decision on whether they will be deported to
their home country or allowed to continue their journey to
Australia," he said.

He said that during their stay in the town, the boat people
would be cared for by the local police for humanitarian reasons.

Sorong students reject autonomy

SORONG, Papua: A group of students staged a demonstration at
the regency legislature building in Sorong on Thursday, rejecting
the newly-passed law on Papua's special autonomy.

Wearing headbands, the demonstrators said the Papuan people
needed more than special autonomy to help solve the prolonged
conflict in the province.

"We no longer have confidence in the Jakarta government," said
a student demonstrator.

The demonstrators narrowly avoided clashes with security
personnel from the local police and military when they tried to
force their way into the building.

Lt. Col. Bachtiar, chief of the Sorong military subdistrict,
called on the demonstrators to avoid disruptive actions when
airing their political aspirations.

"All people are allowed to air their aspirations but it must
be done in line with the law," he said, warning that security
personnel would take strict measures against unruly
demonstrations.