Authorities asked to take stern actions against RMS movement
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Despite two bomb explosions, the situation in Maluku, especially the provincial capital of Ambon, is gradually returning to normal with locals urging the authorities in charge of the civil emergency to take stern actions against the South Maluku Republic (RMS) secessionist movement and its supporters.
Almost all shops and government offices in Ambon that were closed all day on Thursday reopened on Friday and most students went to school while hundreds of public transportation vehicles resumed operations.
Traditional markets in Banteng, Batugantung, Batumera, Gunung Nona and Kudamati, a stronghold of RMS supporters, were crowded with traders.
Nona, a student of state-run Pattimura University in the city, said activities in the campus went on as normal but many students were absent.
Jemmy, the owner of a telephone kiosk in Batumera, told The Jakarta Post that despite the tense situation, the majority of people in the city had resumed daily activities.
"Many residents come to the telephone kiosk to call their relatives in other provinces about the situation in the city," he said.
But at least two bombs exploded near a bridge in the city early on Friday. No casualties were reported.
The city was paralyzed on Thursday when RMS supporters raised their separatist flags in public places. At least seven people were seriously injured in a number of bomb explosions. Some 27 RMS supporters were detained for raising the RMS flag.
Thousands of local Muslims staged a peaceful demonstration to protest against RMS, the pro-independence Maluku Sovereignty Forum (FKM) and the absence of stern actions against their supporters who raised the RMS flag on Thursday.
"Tough actions must be taken against those who raised the RMS flag," said a protester in a dialog with Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, Provincial Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko and Pattimura Military Command chief Brig. Gen. Moestopo who toured the city.
The demonstrators staged the protest on their way to a gathering at Al-Fatah Grand Mosque in the city.
A news blackout has been imposed but news continues to flow out of the province which officially remains under civilian emergency after the outbreak of sectarian conflict.
In Jakarta, Vice President Hamzah Haz said RMS must be quelled because it was a separatist movement "and it has affected the country's independence."
He said Maluku authorities should continue to promote the Malino peace deal and take action against those who opposed it.
Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of the largest Muslim organization in the country, Nahdlatul Ulama, called on the Muslims in Maluku not to be provoked by those seeking to sow religious conflict.
"Let security authorities handle legal violations," he said, adding that all sides should comply with the Malino peace agreement to end the prolonged conflict.