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)