Can this peace hold?

Can this peace hold?

The events that have occurred in the past few days in Ambon,
the main trading port and capital city of the province of Maluku,
reveal a number of developments that are most certainly worth
keeping track of. It is true that so far, the reports from Ambon
that have reached Jakarta have brought us news that can only be
described as not only favorable, but favorable beyond
expectation. Sunday's minor incident, however, may serve as a
warning that, at least at this moment, all is not quite well in
Ambon, not to mention the rest of Maluku.

To encapsulate in the proverbial nutshell the developments of
the past few days in Maluku: Last Thursday, without any prior
disclosure or forewarning, thousands of residents, Muslims and
Christians alike, started joyously parading side by side through
the streets of Ambon, on foot and in motorcades, celebrating the
peace that has descended on the province in the wake of the
second Malino peace conference last month. Reports made mention
of people embracing each other in the streets, old friends
started visiting each other again with no regard of ethnic
grouping or religion and markets and shopping malls were filled
with people. This spontaneous public expression of reconciliation
and joy followed a mass rally by thousands of people on Wednesday
to promote the Malino peace accord. The joyful mood extended into
the following days.

On Saturday, however, a small incident occurred that could
have put an end to the celebratory mood just as abruptly as it
started. A group of reportedly drunken high school students
pelted participants in the march, injuring at least five.
Fortunately, the marchers refused to let themselves be provoked
and the incident was quickly contained so no further violence
occurred. Instead, it provided an opportunity for Muslims to give
expression to their community spirit by protecting Christians
trapped inside.

Obviously, this newly refound spirit of communal belonging is
something to be glad about. Nevertheless, Saturday's incident,
however small, is a stark reminder for Indonesians that a
sustained peace in Ambon, or in Maluku, must not be taken for
granted. It is worth keeping in mind that the past three years of
strife in Maluku began with a meaningless spat over a bus fare.

There are a number of possible reasons why such an
insignificant incident can grow into a major conflict that killed
thousands, claimed innumerable amounts of property damage and
took three years to pacify. Animosity between groups due to
either feelings of ethnic chauvinism or perceived economic or
social injustices are among them. One other possible cause that
cannot simply be brushed off under current political
circumstances, however, is that agents provocateurs are at work
to stir up trouble for reasons only they and the ones behind them
know for certain.

In any case, now that we have come to a point in Maluku's
history where peace is emerging as a viable alternative to
strife, it is the duty of every Indonesian citizen to help in
further promoting that peace process. This goes first and
foremost for all the leaders in the region, formal and informal,
who are responsible for maintaining communal peace and harmony in
the area.

For the security authorities in Ambon under Governor Saleh
Latuconsina this means that first priority must be given to the
enforcement of the law. The erstwhile prevailing spirit of
communal harmony must be restored. For this purpose, warring
Muslim and Christian groups must be disarmed and groups or
organizations of militants who have no business being in Maluku
must be made to leave. The provincial judiciary must be made
functional again.

Admittedly, the job before us is not an easy one. But peace in
Maluku can only be maintained and social harmony restored by
persevering where perseverance is needed.