Civil emergency imposed in Maluku

JAKARTA (JP): The government has imposed a state of civil emergency in Maluku and North Maluku to put an end to renewed sectarian clashes which have heightened in intensity and voracity.

Speaking to journalists after meeting top Cabinet and security ministers at the State Palace on Monday evening, President Abdurrahman Wahid said the civil emergency status would begin at midnight on Monday.

"This decision was taken after a number of ministers met with leaders of the House of Representatives and concluded that a state of civil emergency should immediately be imposed in Maluku and North Maluku," Abdurrahman announced.

Ad interim Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Surjadi Soedirdja then read out presidential decree No. 88/2000 stating the imposition of the civil emergency with the governors of the two provinces heading the regional civil emergency authority.

"The governors of Maluku and North Maluku will be assisted by the Pattimura Military commander, Maluku Police chief and head of the provincial prosecutor's office," Surjadi said, adding that the five-article decree was based on the 1959 Law on State Security.

He added that the civil emergency status would only be revoked if the situation in both provinces "has returned to normal".

When asked whether the government would send fresh reinforcement troops to the provinces, Indonesian Military chief Adm. Widodo A.S. said that "it will depend on the situation on the ground".

"So far, we already have 19 battalions there and last night we sent another two companies from the Mobile Brigade," Widodo said.

"We will try our best to make use of the units that are already there to carry out the authority that has been given to the governors as the chief executive officers," he added.

A civil emergency is one step away from a state of military emergency, such as the one imposed during the height of violence in East Timor in September last year.

One notable difference is that in the latter, regional emergency authority control would be in the hands of the military.

With Monday's declaration, the regional civil emergency authority can ban public gatherings and impose a curfew on the residents.

Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra also said their powers include imposing a media blackout, house-to-house searches for weapons and the tapping of telephone and radio communications.

The government has been forced to use the 1959 Law on State Security since a newer bill passed by the House of Representatives in 1999 was not ratified by the government due to strong public protests.

The government is already in the process of revising the new bill.

The latest flare-up in Ambon has seen the situation digress into total chaos, with conservative estimates putting the number of deaths at 52 since Wednesday.

The renewed violence is a continuation of the ongoing strife which has ripped the two provinces for one-and-a-half years. Over 3,000 people have died as a result.

A significant development in Ambon on Monday was the handover ceremony of leaders of the Pattimura Military Command from Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela to Col. I Made Yasa in a closed ceremony at the headquarters of 733rd Masariku Airborne Infantry Battalion.

Tamaela has been appointed commander of the Army's Center for Territorial Affairs.

Tamaela reportedly flew back to Jakarta after the ceremony, which was witnessed by Governor Saleh Latuconsina. Also present was outgoing Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. I Dewa Astika and his appointed successor, Brig. Gen. Firman Gani.

Later in the day, TVRI in Ambon broadcast scenes of Col. I Made Yasa instructing troops after the ceremony.

The reason behind the abrupt ceremony, which was not attended by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, was not clear as it was originally scheduled for Tuesday.

Tamaela lauded his successor and said it was advantageous that he is a Hindu since he would not be perceived as favoring any of the warring camps.

"I will try my best to be neutral (in handling the riots) ... I call on both warring parties to restrain themselves and stop the fights," I Made Yasa said.

"I've set July 1 as the deadline for the two rivals to hand over their weapons or else they will be forced to hand them in," he said in a prerecorded message.

Gunfire and explosions continued to wreck parts of Ambon on Monday.

A policeman named George Sapulete died and at least three people were injured in a melee at Pohon Pule, Nania and Ahuru on Monday.

Mobs were seen striking several areas, but security forces were reportedly able to disperse and block the rioters.

About 1,000 refugees continued to remain at Ambon Police Headquarters, where they are seeking safety.

All activities are paralyzed, including schools, shops and banks.(48/49/edt)