Expectations for Malino II meeting

Today is the second and last day of a meeting pertaining to the future of Maluku. Subsequent to the successful negotiations held here to settle the previous conflicts in Poso, central Sulawesi, the same place is again used to find solutions to the conflicts in Maluku.

Conflicts in Maluku have been raging for the past three years. Triggered by non-religion matters, the friction soon developed into conflicts between the Muslim and Christian communities, claiming the lives of hundreds of people from both sides. Thousands had to evacuate to safer places. Dozens of school buildings were destroyed, the economy stood still, law enforcement was stagnant not to mention the psychological trauma.

Following the Declaration for Peace after the Malino I meeting, the religious conflicts in Poso have subsided to a great extent. The Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, Jusuf Kalla, has obviously lent his expert hand in cooling down the Poso strife.

However, the Maluku situation is more precarious, as vengeance is now deeply embedded on both sides. Negotiations might not be as smooth.

Still we hold high expectations for the mediator team that comprises Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister of Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Military Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. and National Police Chief Da'i Bachtiar as well as the 35 members of the Muslim and Christian delegations along with the 25 observers from both religion communities.

In any case Malino II is the government's best effort. Hopefully the voice of conscience will prevail. Peace should not be a mere lip-service word, but one that has to be uttered with conscientious conviction by both parties.

-- Republika, Jakarta