Civil emergency authority to crack down on rioters

Civil emergency authority to crack down on rioters

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I
Made Yasa revealed on Tuesday a plan by the Governor as the
leader of the Maluku Civil Emergency to crack down on
provocateurs and rioters.

"We can no longer tolerate provocation and we have to be firm
as we have entered the peace-orientation phase in Maluku," I Made
Yasa said in his office in Batu Gajah on Tuesday.

Yasa said Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina has issued three
orders to the Pattimura Military Commander and Maluku Police
chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani on three issues that need immediate
action.

"The first order is to take firm action against provocative
broadcasting by Radio Suara Perjuangan Muslim Maluku. and other
illegal radio stations.

"The second order is to crack down on the alleged armed,
physical and military-style training activities in Waai village
in Salahutu district in Ambon island," Yasa said.

Waai was a predominantly-Christian village before it was
gutted by fire in a massive armed blitz in the area that drove
the locals away on July 5 and July 6, 2000.

"The third order is to take firm action against intruders and
illegal residents, including raids on drugs and alcohol," the
general said.

He added that TNI in Maluku should focus on order No. 2 (on
the crackdown on the physical training camp) and leave the other
two tasks to the police.

"Police have to play a bigger role in security problems and
TNI should not get too involved in this. However, we are ready to
back up the Police at any time where necessary.

"I do not want TNI to take over the role of provincial
administration and the police's role in handling Maluku riots,"
he said.

Yasa said the situation in Maluku is predicted to remain in a
state of fragile calm until next year, up until the period of the
gubernatorial election that is slated for November 2002.

Regarding rotation of troops, it is reported that the existing
Brawijaya Cavalry Battalion of East Java has been replaced by
Sriwijaya Cavalry Battalion of South Sumatra.

"The new cavalry battalion is complete with six armored
vehicles in Ambon and directly stationed in Ambon islands," he
said.

There are currently five military battalions in North Maluku
and 10 battalions in Maluku.

Yasa further revealed that the fresh batch of Joint Battalion
(Yongab) III will not replace the existing Yongab I in the
immediate future.

"I have talked with the TNI commander and Army chief and it is
decided that Yongab III is still needed in Jakarta due to
'escalating political tension'," he said.

The Joint Battalion comprises the three elite units of Air
Force' Paskhas, Navy's Marines and Army's Kopassus.

There are two Joint Battalions in Maluku -- Yongab I and
Yongab II -- stationed in Ambon islands and Seram islands.

Meanwhile, a man named Semmy Toysuta, 25, was found dead with
stab wounds all over his body on Monday night. The body was
buried later on Tuesday around 4 p.m. in Karang Panjang area.

Witnesses said he was last seen on Sunday afternoon walking
from Mardika to Batu Merah area before he was reported missing
for a couple of days. Security officers and his family were
notified by the Al Fatah Hospital to pick up his body.

Semmy was the son of a priest of Beta Bara church in Batu
Merah Dalam, which was burned down in riots in the first phase of
Maluku violence in 1999.

Separately in Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi, a group of
Maluku students demonstrated against a visit by 43 legislators
and executives from Central Maluku regency, claiming that "the
visit is a waste of money". The group tried to expel the
delegation -- who were there for regional autonomy training --
outside Hotel Sahid in Makassar.

"The visit has cost some Rp 400 million and it's a waste of
tiem and money. They should have stayed in Maluku," student
coordinator Herry Patti said. (edt/49/27)