Deadline set for refugee repatriation

AMBON, Maluku: The central government has asked provincial governments nationwide, notably Maluku, to completely resolve the problem of refugees by the end of this year, said Memet Latuconsina, Maluku deputy governor.

In order to help the Maluku provincial government resolve the problem, the central government has agreed to grant an additional Rp 150 billion (US$16.6 million) for the Maluku provincial government, said Memet on Thursday.

There are currently 15,788 displaced families in Maluku following sectarian conflict that rocked the Maluku islands between 1999 and 2002. The conflict claimed thousands of lives and drove thousands of others out of their homes to seek refuge in safer areas. -- JP