Campaigning starts peacefully in Maluku

JAKARTA (JP): Signs of peace were seen throughout the riot- torn Southeast Maluku capital of Tual on Sunday, as the campaign period kicked off and went without incident.

Antara reported supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the Justice and Unity Party (PKP), and the Indonesian Unity in Diversity Party (PBI) were seen embracing each other and shaking hands in the streets.

More than 130 people were killed in days of clashes between Muslims and Christians in Tual and other nearby areas which first erupted in late March.

Chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Rudini was quoted as saying by the news agency here on Sunday the Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto has given his reassurances that the military is ready to secure the elections in Maluku.

Rudini, who had just completed a short visit to Maluku and Irian Jaya with Home Affairs Minister Syarwan Hamid on Saturday, said that a number of warships and a military airplane have been readied to facilitate the electoral process in Maluku.

Antara reported about 83 percent of Maluku's 1.2 million eligible voters have signed up for the elections.

More than 300 people had been killed in months of clashes between Muslims and Christians in the province which first erupted in Ambon in mid-January.

The latest erupted on May 15 when at least seven people were killed and dozens more injured after troops opened fire to disperse a dispute between Muslim and Christian groups in Ambon.

Separately, a group demanding an election boycott in the troubled province of Aceh set two cars of political parties on fire on Saturday.

A group of 30 people halted three cars of the United Development Party (PPP) in West Aceh as the party supporters were on their way to a campaign venue in Krueng Sabe district.

The men told PPP officials and supporters to stop campaigning and turn back to the West Aceh capital of Meulaboh.

One of the cars was later set on fire while the two others managed to escape.

A parked car of the Islamic Community Party (PUI) was also set on fire in the nearby Teunom market.

On Thursday, the alleged members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement kidnapped four PPP campaign workers and set their vehicle on fire in a protest against the June elections in Geulumpang Tiga district in Pidie regency.

The four were later released in another village after agreeing not to campaign further in Pidie.

Pidie, North Aceh and East Aceh were the three regencies which had been affected by a decade of anti-rebel military operations that were only halted last year.

Residents have demanded the right to determine their future through a referendum, a demand which has grown since earlier this month when security forces opened fire on protesters and left 41 people dead.

Resentment against the military and Jakarta has also risen with soldiers accused of widespread human rights violations during anti-rebel operations. The Free Aceh movement has been fighting for independence since the mid-1970s.

A battalion of riot troops was dispatched to Aceh last week to ensure security and help jack up the voter turnout.

In the eastern-most province of Irian Jaya, Rudini said on Saturday the residents would not have to register to participate in the elections as long as they bring their identity card on the polling day.

Governor Freddy Numberi said about 82 percent of Irian Jaya's 1.2 million eligible voters have signed up for the elections.

He also said there would be about 30,000 polling stations throughout the province. (34/byg/46)