ABRI to probe West Kalimantan rioting impartially
JAKARTA (JP): The military is promising to act impartially in its investigation into the alleged instigators of the ethnic unrest in West Kalimantan.
Armed Forces Sociopolitical Affairs Chief Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid said yesterday the military would question everybody thought to be involved in the upheavals, work only with facts and not be prejudiced against any social or political groups.
Syarwan reiterated the military's stance on the ongoing tension in West Kalimantan after addressing a meeting of the alumni of the Association of Islamic Students.
He also commented on Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono's statement on Monday that the clash between native West Kalimantan Dayak tribesmen and the migrant Madurese, from East Java, was instigated by a group of East Java people. The group of four people, according to another military officer, have been questioned by the police.
Hartono's statement provoked a harsh reaction in some quarters, including ulemas from Madura, who believed it insinuated the unrest was related to certain religious or political organizations. Yesterday, Hartono retracted the statement, saying people should have asked him for clarification before reacting so vehemently.
Pontianak and a number of regencies surrounding the capital of West Kalimantan have for the past two months been gripped by fear as the two ethnic groups clashed in many places.
Speculations
Syarwan denied speculation that the latter unrest involved any political organizations.
"Those involved in the riots were individuals. They are indeed registered as members or officials of certain political organizations but it does not mean their parties were involved," he said.
The unrest first broke out in December when thousands of Dayaks went on a rampage following a brawl between Dayak and Madurese youths over a woman. At least five people were killed in the ensuing violence.
The second wave of clashes started on Jan. 29, less than a month after the Dayaks and Madurese reached a peace agreement. The death toll from this unrest is said to number in the hundreds.
Efforts to establish peace have been conducted, with the latest attempt being a peace ceremony attended by representatives of the two ethnic groups, military officers and civilian officials. But tension remains high.
More violence occurred Tuesday in Sungai Kunyit, some 60 kilometers northwest of Pontianak. The military has reportedly arrested 86 people over the unrest, in which 107 houses were torched, forcing more than 1,000 people to flee to other areas.
Security forces also confiscated 21 muskets and 96 bladed weapons. The Merdeka daily said that 12 of those detained were being questioned by the military while the rest were in police detention.
It also quoted Tanjungpura Military Commander Maj. Gen. Namoeri Anoem as saying he was "deeply concerned" about Tuesday's clash. He also said the clashes were "only sporadic," adding the attackers had come from inland areas. (imn/swe)