Cabinet ministers to visit Malukus
Cabinet ministers to visit Malukus
AMBON, Maluku (JP): A 13-strong entourage of Cabinet ministers
led by Coordinating Minister for Social, Political and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will visit the Malukus on
Tuesday, Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said on Sunday.
Latuconsina said the visit was aimed at speeding up the
process of rehabilitating and restoring law and order in the
violence-racked provinces of Maluku and North Maluku.
The minister will then fly to the neighboring province of
Irian Jaya, which is experiencing mounting demands for
independence.
During their trip to Maluku's capital Ambon, the ministers
will take a close look at the latest on situation on the ground,
according to Latuconsina.
Also to come are Indonesian Military chief Adm. Widodo A.S.,
National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro and Attorney General
Marzuki Darusman.
"The visit is expected to result in ways to restore law and
order as well as to tackle the problems of refugees and riot
victims," the governor said.
Thousands have been killed and many more forced to flee since
the violence erupted in January 1999.
Among the ministers joining the entourage are Minister of
Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Minister of
Defense Mahfud M.D., Minister of Education Yahya Muhaimin,
Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja,
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab.
"We will discuss plans for "floating trials" in which speedy
court sessions will be held on board of a navy ship or civilian
boat guarded by the security forces," Latuconsina said.
Separately, Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made
Yasa revealed on Saturday that some 1,300 detonators concealed in
a heap of watermelons were seized at Yos Sudarso port when they
were about to be unloaded from the KM Lambelu recently.
Also speaking on Saturday, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen.
Firman Gani said 12 rioters linked to Laskar Jihad (Jihad Force)
Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah will face formal questioning in 12-days
time on charges of possessing lethal weapons and ammunition.
(49/edt)