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Regarding rotation of troops, it is reported that the existing Brawijaya Cavalry Battalion of East Java has been replaced by Sriwijaya Cavalry Battalion of South Sumatra.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