Bakin warns provincial governors of new violence

Bakin warns provincial governors of new violence

JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. (ret.) Arie J. Kumaat, the chief of the
State Intelligence Coordinating Board (Bakin), asked provincial
governors to remain on alert for any new unrest in the country.

"At present, there are no signs that any new violence is about
to explode, but governors should stay on alert for possible
spillovers triggered by existing conflicts. We should learn from
the recent violence in Maluku, North Maluku and Mataram," he said
during a meeting on Tuesday.

He said local officials, especially governors, regents and
subdistrict chiefs, should be skilled in managing potential areas
of conflict, especially ethnic and religious ones.

He warned that Aceh, Riau and Irian Jaya face serious
questions on their future while other provinces are prone to
ethnic and religious conflicts.

"Therefore, local officials should enhance their coordination
with the police and military to manage existing conflicts and to
avoid new ones," he said.

Meanwhile, Aceh Governor Syamsuddin Machmud, who was at the
meeting, said that despite the recent deaths of local military
and police personnel, the overall situation in the province was
under control.

"I have yet to receive the official report on the latest
killings of local military and police officials. But so far, the
situation is under control," he said.

He said the situation in Aceh had gradually improved following
the government's action to carry out development programs in the
province.

"The government's recent revival of Sabang as a free port and
the government's plan to reoperate the railway bridging Aceh and
North Sumatra are expected to win the Acehnese people's support
for the government," he claimed.

He added that the provincial administration was still making
preparations to implement the province's special autonomy at the
provincial level.

Maluku governor Saleh Latuconsina said that the situation in
Maluku and North Maluku had also progressively returned to normal
after the imposition of strict security measures against all
sides. (rms)