Group demands end to Maluku clashes

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The Association of the Maluku Community in Makassar has demanded the authorities declare a ceasefire in riot-torn Maluku, or there will be no end to the violence.

Chairman of the organization Saleh Putuhena told The Jakarta Post in an interview here on Thursday that the conflict, which spread to the island of Buru on Tuesday, would reach all islands in the province "unless serious efforts are made by the authorities."

Putuhena said the organization had some 300 members, consisting of both Christians and Muslims. "They all agreed to make peace proposals and we have sent the proposals to the minister of religious affairs," he said.

The ceasefire for both warring camps is the first step to be taken, then the establishment of a special joint team in charge of collecting weapons used by the warring groups is needed.

Putuhena, former rector of the State Islamic Institute Alauddin Makassar, said that a further step needed was reconciliation. "After reconciliation between both parties, Muslims and Christians should meet outside Maluku."

Then representatives of both sides were sent to villages to make the results of the meeting public at grassroots level, he said.

He said the final step would be rehabilitation, focusing on the rebuilding of people's houses damaged during the riots. "People are allowed to choose if they want to live here or go to other areas. Christians can build new homes in an area where Christians are dominant, and similar treatment should also be given to Muslims," he said.

"One thing the people of Maluku should have been aware of is that the continuous clashes will eliminate the existence of Maluku itself," he said.

Meanwhile the Christian group in the reconciliation team set up by Governor Saleh Latuconsina in Ambon earlier this month threatened to quit unless the authority made serious attempts to stop the continuing violence.

The team declared its stance on Tuesday, urging the authority to be neutral and more responsive. The reconciliation team also has Muslim members.

The military has been accused of worsening the interreligious clashes which have been ongoing for almost one year in Maluku. Hundreds of people have been killed in the conflict. (27/48/sur)