Governor demands peace from community leaders

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina ordered on Friday all religious and community leaders to support the peace process by refraining from making provocative speeches.

Gubernatorial Decree No. 8/PDSDM/2000 dated June 30 bans speeches at mosques and churches which call for war.

"I urge all community leaders, Muslim and Christian, to stop provoking their followers," Latuconsina said on Friday.

The message was distributed to the heads of Maluku's Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), the Protestant Synode Church and the Amboina Catholic diocese.

Ambon was relatively calm on Friday. Gunfire and explosions, however, were occasionally heard in the subdistricts of Batu Gantung and Tanah Lapang Kecil and on Jl. Baru.

Latuconsina also called on all administrative officials to resume work.

"All officials have to return to Ambon immediately. If they do not, they must appoint someone to carry out their daily work," the governor said.

Business, school and administrative activities generally remained at a standstill. State Bank Indonesia, however, resumed its activities on Friday.

A massive gun sweeping operation will be conducted if no significant results of the emergency status are accomplished by Saturday, the governor added.

The new Pattimura Military chief, Col. I Made Yasa, said troops were posted at several areas prone to conflict, such as Urimesing, Batu Gajah and Bere-Bere, on Friday.

Instead of driving a car, he used an armored vehicle.

Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani also revealed that so far 50 percent of about 400 police personnel at large had reported to nearby units and posts.

He warned the rioters who recently ransacked police arsenals to return the weaponry. "We will track down and seize the stolen weaponry by force if necessary," Firman said.

In Jakarta, Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra said martial law could not be imposed on Maluku because no armed separatist movement was taking place there. (49/edt/jun)