Govt to take time to lift Maluku emergency

Annastashya Emmanuelle and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government sees no urgency in lifting the state of civil emergency in Maluku despite the recent peace accord signed by the two warring groups there, a top security official has said.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday that the government would wait until the peace campaign had been fully accepted by the people in the province before lifting the state of emergency, which was imposed in June 2000 by the government of former president Abdurrahman Wahid.

"Let the campaign against violence and conflict complete its course," Susilo said after a Cabinet meeting. He set no deadline for the completion of the peace campaign.

He indicated, however, that the status of some areas in North Maluku would soon be normalized.

Susilo, fresh from an overnight visit to Ambon with National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, said there was minor resistance from both Muslim and Christian groups to the peace deal, although in general the ongoing campaign for peace was heading toward "positive developments".

Da'i identified the recalcitrant group among the Christians as the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM), which he said had insisted on seeking intervention from the international community to resolve the conflict.

He said that opposition to the peace agreement also came from the Muslim-based Group of Eleven, who had openly refused to comply with the accord.

Both factions were not invited to the peace talks in Malino, South Sulawesi, last week.

Susilo said the government had rejected the possibility of international intervention.

"It's irrelevant (bringing the Maluku conflict into the international arena). This process is supported by the international community and the United Nations as they respect the national integrity of Indonesia and the steps taken by the Indonesian government to resolve the conflict," Susilo said.

During his visit to Ambon on Wednesday, Susilo ordered the local administration to encourage the defiant groups to comply with the peace deal.

Chief of Army's Strategic Reserved Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Thursday that there was no need to deploy more troops in Maluku because the security situation there was improving.

Ryamizard, who also joined the visit, added that the TNI was ready to help in the rehabilitation and reconstruction in areas hit by conflicts.

"The local administration will take legal action should the opposition to the peace accord develop into provocative moves that result in fresh violence," Susilo said.

A correspondent of The Jakarta Post in Maluku revealed, however, that not a single judge nor prosecutor could be found in the local district court.

"If necessary, the House of Representatives and religious leaders will be asked for their support for firm measures to prevent the outbreak of renewed conflict in Ambon." Susilo added.

Last week, delegations of Muslim and Christian groups signed a peace agreement in Malino, South Sulawesi, that has the potential to put an end to three years of clashes that have left more than 6,000 people dead and some 700,000 others displaced.

During the talks, the two warring factions agreed to spend three months promoting the peace accord among their respective communities.

The delegations returned home to the jeers of some 30 local Muslims who rallied near Pattimura airport to condemn the peace agreement.

Under civil emergency status, issued in June 2000, the Maluku governor has the authority to:

1.) Endorse a regulation to keep public order and territorial security. 2.) Endorse a regulation to limit the display, printing, publication, announcement, or attachment of pictures and writing. 3.) Order the police officials to raid any location by showing a letter of assignment, regardless of objections by the resident or owner of the property. 4.) Order inspection of all materials suspected of being used to disturb the peace, and to regulate the use of those materials. 5.) Take and use official materials. 6.) Monitor all news, radio stations, and phone conversations while being able to restrict the dissemination of news through telephone or radio. 7.) Limit the use of codes, secret texts, secret printing, stenography, pictures, signs, and the use of foreign languages. 8.) Issue regulations limiting or banning the use of communication devices such as telephones, telegrams, radio transmitters, and to confiscate those devices. 9.) Issue regulations demanding that people to obtain a license before organizing a mass gathering or meeting. 10.) Order limits on the number of people participating in outdoor activities, along with body searches of suspects. 11.) Issue orders banning people from entering buildings or squares, except for prayers, recitals, or religious ceremonies.