Despite major bomb explosion, Ambon remains calm

Oktavianus Pinontoan The Jakarta Post Ambon

Despite a bombing that left at least 55 people injured on Saturday, the situation in Maluku, particularly the provincial capital of Ambon, remained calm, an indication that most locals remain firmly behind the peace deal signed in February.

In the predominantly Christian area of Kudamati, Sirimau subdistrict, where the bomb went off, people went about their daily activities. And the hundreds of security personnel deployed to the subdistrict have not blocked off the area.

Traffic was flowing as usual and the streets were crowded with pedestrians, all signs that residents are eager to avoid a return to the sectarian conflict that rocked the province for three and half years.

But the situation was not normal at Dr. Haulussy General Hospital, GPM General Hospital, the military hospital, Al-Fatah Hospital and the Bhakti Rahayu General Hospital, where the aftermath of the bombing was evident. The bombing victims, many in critical condition, were taken to the five hospitals for treatment.

Victims being treated at Dr. Haulussy General Hospital in Kudamati were visited by Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko Danu Ardianto minutes after he toured the site of the explosion.

The bomb, which is believed to have been in a handcart filled with ice, exploded at 11:10 a.m. near a shopping center and Pattimura University's polytechnic school.

Many of those injured in the blast were shoppers and students. The explosion caused panic among shoppers and shop owners, and destroyed a number of shops, motorcycles and passing vehicles.

But the hundreds of police and military personnel deployed to the scene were able to bring the situation under control.

John Mailoa, deputy chairman of the Maluku provincial legislature, accused outside groups of being responsible for the attack. He said these extremist groups from outside the province were able to operate because of the lack of action taken against them.

"Extremist groups that should have been expelled from the province in accordance with the Malino peace agreement must be held responsible for the incident. They are trying to revive the conflict and to destabilize the province.

"This is evident by the fact that the situation near the site of the explosion remained calm, and from the absence of a response by local Christians, who know that is inconceivable that any locals, including Muslims, are trying to continue the conflict," he said after visiting the site of the explosion and victims in several hospitals.

Mailoa, who led the Muslim delegation at the Malino II peace talks in February, said the bombers had targeted Christians in an attack that was a follow-up to the attack on the predominantly Christian village of Soya in April that claimed 14 lives.

He said he was positive local residents, Muslims and Christians, were not responsible for the bombing, because all of the residents of Maluku wanted an end to the violence.

Governor Saleh Latuconsina, who is also the head of the state of civil emergency imposed in the province, condemned the bombing.

He did not speculate about who may have been responsible for the bombings, nor did he discuss the fear of many locals that security in the province was deteriorating.

Eyewitnesses to the attack said they saw several youths place a large plastic bag in the handcart minutes before the explosion.

Elissa Pattoiusen, 38, a fruit seller, said she did not recognize the youths, who fled after the explosion.

Linda Sapulette, a 32-year-old vegetable seller, said the youths looked to be between the ages of 18 and 20.

Ambon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Noviantoro said the police were still questioning six people who witnessed the bombing.

He also said the police would run tests to determine the type of explosives used and to investigate the possible motives behind the bombing.

The owner of the handcart is also being held by the police for further questioning, he said.

Eyebox

Post-Malino II bombings in Maluku ------------------------------------------------- Date location victims ------------------------------------------------- Feb. 13, 2002 Ambon no casualties April 3, 2002 Ambon 7 killed, 58 wounded June 22, 2002 Ambon no casualties July 27, 2002 Ambon 55 injured