Campaigning starts peacefully in Maluku

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)