Government 'will not wash its hands of problems' in Maluku
Government 'will not wash its hands of problems' in Maluku
TERNATE, North Maluku (JP): Demands for concrete action to
resolve the prolonged conflict in Maluku greeted Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri when she addressed thousands of people
here on Tuesday.
Megawati, on a three-day visit to Maluku, told the crowd
gathered in the compound of the governor's office that the
government "will not wash its hands of the problems plaguing the
Maluku people".
She called on the people of Maluku to stop fighting and begin
reconciliatory talks. But when she stopped short of detailing
concrete measures by the government to resolve the conflict, a
representative of the local office of the Indonesian Council of
Ulemas, Thamid Ibrahim, rose to interrupt the Vice President.
"We don't need your explanations. Will you please just explain
your concepts and policies for us," he said.
A composed Megawati asked Thamid to remain calm, saying anger
would not solve the problem.
"Reconciliation will not last long if it is built on a weak
foundation. It's now up to the people's goodwill to establish
peace and reconciliation," Megawati continued.
The Vice President said her visit to the territory was aimed
at hearing the wishes of the people before drawing up policies to
cope with the protracted communal clashes involving Muslims and
Christians in Maluku and North Maluku.
Among her entourage are Coordinating Minister for Political
Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for
People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Basri Hasanudin, State
Minister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid, State Minister of
Resettlement Erna Witoelar, Indonesian Military chief Adm. Widodo
and National Police chief Lt. Gen. Roesdihardjo.
North Maluku Governor Surasmin told Megawati a total of 1,655
people had been killed and 1,219 injured in the newly established
province. Another 2,300 people are hiding in the jungles of
Halmahera island after fleeing the violence.
Minor clashes were still being reported in several villages on
the island during Megawati's visit.
Shortly after arriving at Baabullah Airport here from the
Maluku capital of Ambon, Megawati and her entourage made a 20-
minute stop-over at refugee camps at Dufa-Dufa and Jambula.
Some 500 meters from the airport, students from private
Khairun University staged a protest, unfurling banners calling
for the government to take immediate action to aid the refugees.
Security personnel dispersed the students before the Vice
President's entourage passed.
Tears
Earlier on Tuesday in Ambon, Megawati consoled both Muslims
and Christians being treated at local hospitals for injuries
sustained during sectarian clashes.
She burst into tears at the sight of the ruins of Maranatha
Church and Al Fatah Mosque, which were built during the tenure of
her father, founding president Sukarno.
"My father laid the cornerstones for the two buildings, which
were supposed to be the religious pride of Ambon," she said.
Megawati also donated Rp 150 million in cash and medicine to
Muslim and Christian groups. The chairman of the Al Fatah
foundation, Abdullah Soulisa, received the donation for the
Muslim groups, and the chairman of the Maluku Protestant Church
Synod, Rev. Sammy Titaley, represented the Christian groups.
In a related development, the leader of the Commission of
Inquiry into Violence in Maluku, Bambang W. Soeharto, expressed
guarded optimism the commission could mediate between the warring
groups. He also urged the government to focus greater attention
on the problems in the territory.
"I have met the two groups and both are willing to meet for
peace talks," he said, adding that the military should deploy
troops to areas prone to clashes and erect roadblocks to keep the
warring parties separated.
Bambang and his colleague Soegiri visited Tobelo district and
Malifut and Kao, both in Jailolo district, on Monday.
(49/emf/sur)