Governor tries to reconcile as East Flores remains tense

Yemris Fointuna and Jacob J. Herin, The Jakarta Post, Kupang/Flores

East Nusa Tenggara governor Piet A. Tallo met with local leaders, including religious leaders, in Larantuka Tuesday following the burning down of the town's courthouse and prosecutor's office on Saturday.

Schools have since reopened but people remain wary of going out, especially at night, and employees of the court and prosecutor's offices are still receiving protection from the diocese.

Provincial prosecutor's office spokesman Douglas Oskar Riwu added that virtually all of his office's and the court's files had been destroyed, and that they would first have to make out an inventory of all cases filed with the two institutions.

East Flores regent Felix Fernandes said the administration had provided two temporary buildings for the court and prosecutors, and he urged their staff to return to work as soon as possible.

The burning down of the district court and prosecutor's office in Larantuka, a mainly Catholic town, followed the conviction of a local priest, Frans Amanue, for defaming East Flores regent Felix Fernandes.

The defendant received two months in jail, suspended for five months -- meaning he will not go to jail unless he reoffends within the next five months. The priest had been quoted in a local paper as saying that the budget estimates totaling Rp 119 million that had been sent by the regency to Jakarta did not make sense, and that some of it would be used by the regent in his own interests.

Governor Tallo urged people to refrain from anarchic acts. "Do not settle problems by making other problems," he said during a meeting with local leaders. "Let's put our trust in the existing mechanisms and avoid friction within society," he said.

Police have arrested three suspects, and residents say they are staying at home at night for fear of being arrested. Since Saturday, security personnel have been conducting house searches to find those responsible for the attacks.

On Monday, provincial police chief Brig.Gen. Edward Aritonang also met with local leaders, including Bishop Mgr. Darius Nggawa. "I asked for his support in calming down the public," Edward said.