Ambonese are haunted by rumors of holiday riots

Ambonese are haunted by rumors of holiday riots

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Ambonese are cautious as rumors have it
that fresh interreligion conflicts will erupt during the
Christmas and Idul Fitri holidays.

Chairman of Maluku Protestant Church Synod Sammy Titaley said
on Saturday that rumors on possible riots had been circulated
among the people. "So I've called on all Christians in Ambon and
in the province of Maluku not to be upset by the rumors and be
peaceful in the spirit of Christmas."

Umar A.H., a Muslim employee at the Maluku gubernatorial
office, said he had heard the rumors sometime ago. "I've been
worried all the time."

Willem Hahiary, a 41-year-old driver, said the authorities
have to be on the alert. "The rumors could become a reality.
Everywhere people are talking about a bloody Christmas on Dec.
26. This is really haunting us."

Passenger ships and airplanes leaving for cities in Java have
been fully booked, indicating that the Ambonese, both Christians
and Muslims, have been leaving their homes ahead of the holidays.

In the past, Ambonese living outside the province retuned to
their home towns to celebrate Christmas or Idul Fitri.

However, Governor Saleh Latuconsina, who is also the ruler of
the civil emergency state, said on Saturday that there would be
coordination between the military chief Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa
and police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani to prevent any unrest.

Peace campaign

In Surabaya a group of Christian and Muslim activists from
Maluku launched a Baku Bae (reconciliation) campaign, warning all
Maluku people of possible intrusion of provocateurs from outside
the province.

"We are worried that provocateurs will exploit the religious
festivities, Christmas and Idul Fitri, to rock the peace in Ambon
and other parts of the Maluku province," Ichsan Malik,
coordinator of the activists, said on Friday.

"We still remember that the bloody sectarian clash in Maluku
erupted on Idul Fitri on Jan. 19, 1999. We are afraid that
agitators would appear during the holidays," Ichsan said.

"Records indicate that to date between 8,000 and 9,700 people
have been killed in clashes, without any party, including the
government, having the ability to stop the violence."

"The prolonged mayhem has also forced 700,000 Maluku people to
seek refuge in other parts of the archipelago. The conflicts have
also caused the rest of 1,290,000 Maluku people to live in fear
and anger," said Ichsan.

He said the Baku Bae activists had polled 1,327 Christian and
1,241 Muslim respondents. "The polls show that the people are
living in despair, disappointment and fear, awaiting the
conflicts to end."

"The civil emergency status did not work at all. The Military
Command has failed to coordinate with the warring groups. The
governor, in his capacity as the civil emergency ruler, has been
weak, the police have also been weak, the House of
Representatives (DPR) and political parties have been quite, the
press has been taking sides, and the non-governmental
organizations have lost their orientation," Ichsan said, quoting
the poll results.

Another activist, Raja Tuhaha, said he had been puzzled by
local publications which had been using provocative language to
agitate people at the grassroots level. "This has only helped
maintain the chaotic situation".

In a related development Governor Saleh Latuconsina on
Saturday also said he would recommend to the central government
to an extention of the civil emergency status which is due to end
on Dec. 27.

"I would recommend that the emergency status be extended as we
still have yet to optimally deal with migrant rioters and
disarming residents," he said.

The extention is believed to be for another three-months.

A three-month civil emergency status was first imposed in
Maluku on June 27 and was later extended on Sept. 27.

As stipulated on Law No. 23/1959 on State of Emergency Law the
regional civil emergency authority can ban public gatherings,
impose a curfew, house to house searches for weapons and the
tapping of telephone and radio communications. (49/lup/nur/sur)