Governor Sherly Tjoanda Speaks Out After Conflict in Central Halmahera Residents

North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda stated that the provincial government has directly intervened to guarantee security and promote dialogue to resolve the clash between residents that occurred in Patani, Central Halmahera Regency. As of Monday (6/4), the situation following the clash in Central Halmahera is said to have improved. “Therefore, as a form of the government’s seriousness in maintaining a conducive situation, Deputy Governor Sarbin Sehe along with the Deputy Chief of Police of North Maluku, Brigadier General Pol Stephen M. Napiun, has gone directly to the field to monitor conditions, ensure public safety, and open communication channels with various parties,” said Governor Sherly Tjoanda through a press release received by Antara on Saturday (4/4). “The government is present to ensure that all parties feel heard, protected, and given a fair space to express their views,” she added. She emphasised that every problem can fundamentally be resolved through open and respectful communication. She also encouraged the involvement of community leaders, religious figures, and local government elements in rebuilding trust among residents. According to her, the presence of the Deputy Governor and Deputy Police Chief at the location is an important step to maintain stability while ensuring that the handling of the situation proceeds calmly, measured, and balanced. “The presence of the government and security forces in the field is to calm, protect, and ensure the situation does not develop further,” she added. North Maluku Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Pol. Stephen M. Napiun, in front of residents on Sunday, conveyed an apology for any oversights and committed to maximally uncovering the perpetrators of the murder. He urged the public to exercise restraint and not be provoked by circulating hoaxes. “This incident is purely a criminal act or inter-village brawl, not a religious or SARA conflict,” said the Deputy Police Chief. A similar statement was also made by Danrem 152/Babullah Brigadier General TNI Enoh Solehudin, who expressed condolences and hoped such an incident would not recur. He affirmed that the TNI is ready to assist Polri in resolving the issue and maintaining security stability in North Maluku. According to him, Central Halmahera Regent Ikram M Sangaji will soon hold a meeting between the local regency government (Pemkab) and representatives of Sibenpopo Village and Banemo Village. “This step is expected to become a constructive mediation forum to ease tensions and prevent follow-up conflicts,” he said. According to him, with solid synergy between security forces and local government, the situation in Central Halmahera is hoped to soon return to conducive without further conflict escalation. Banemo Village and Sibenpopo Village, West Patani Subdistrict, have come under control after joint TNI/Polri forces were deployed since Friday morning. Sarbin said he, along with the North Maluku Deputy Police Chief and Danrem 152/Baabullah, headed to Central Halmahera to meet religious leaders, community figures, and customary leaders to seek a peaceful solution for both parties. “We are all siblings, let us maintain peace,” he said. Meanwhile, North Maluku Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Police Stephen M. Napiun stated that 250 joint TNI/Polri personnel have been deployed to defuse the situation so it does not spread. “I ask the public to jointly maintain security and peace,” he said. The inter-resident conflict occurred on Friday morning (3/4) triggered by the discovery of a Banemo Village resident’s body in a garden area located in Sibenpopo Village territory. The incident sparked the anger of the victim’s family and local residents. The action led to an attack using sharp weapons and other dangerous objects, which was then retaliated by the other side, resulting in mutual assaults. As a result of the clash, several residents’ houses in Sibenpopo Village were reported burned. In addition, one Sibenpopo Village resident was reported dead. North Maluku Deputy Governor Sarbin Sehe immediately invited the residents of the two conflicting villages to end the clash. He also invited youth leaders, community figures, and customary leaders from the two villages to become driving forces for peace so that the two villages could live harmoniously again. “I invite all residents of the two villages to exercise restraint and not be provoked, but let us jointly maintain peace,” he said on Friday (3/4).