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)