In search of Poso blast perpetrators

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post/Palu

The religiously segregated town of Poso has been relatively peaceful and calm during the past six months. Local residents are uninhibited in carrying out their daily activities. Two disparate communities, the Muslims and Christians of Poso who were previously involved in full-frontal conflict, have started to intermingle.

Residents of the Christian faith have been able to travel to and from Muslim-dominated Poso; likewise, Muslims can now travel to Christian majority areas.

However, residents were again stunned by two separate explosions on the night of April 28. The first occurred around 7:50 p.m. local time in front of the Poso Reconciliation and Conflict Resolution Center (PRKP) head office at Jl. Brigjen Katamso in Kasintuwu subdistrict, Poso. The second blast took place at 9:43 p.m. in front of the Civil Society Empowerment Commission (LPMS) office at Jl. Monginsidi III in the Bone Sompe subdistrict. There were no casualties and only minor damage was reported as a result of both explosions.

However, the bombings have sparked speculation among local residents. Some believe that the explosions at both NGO offices were only to disrupt local elections due in June. Some assumed that the explosions were closely connected with the two NGOs' investigations into the misappropriation of humanitarian aid funds in Poso. Others have expressed concern that a new group in Poso was trying to set up a new conflict.

Last, but not least, some even speculated that the bombs were planted by NGO activists themselves in an effort to seek public sympathy. The NGO activists, however, have accused acting regent of Poso, Andi Azikin Suyuti, as being behind the bombings that were directed at them.

Azikin, who also heads the Central Sulawesi Social Welfare Office, is believed to be responsible for the distribution of humanitarian funds up until now. The NGOs have campaigned against his alleged involvement in misappropriation of humanitarian aid.

"We believe that Azikin was behind the bombings. He doesn't want to be disturbed so he perpetrated terror acts against us. We demand that be interrogated," said Iskandar Lamuka, chairman of the Poso LPMS.

Poso police are investigating the argument that the bombings were linked to the activists uncovering the graft case.

"The two organizations have been active in unraveling the facts on the embezzlement of humanitarian funds. So, on the face of it, we suggest the bombings are linked to the problem," said Poso police Deputy Chief Commissioner Ricky Naldo.

Central Sulawesi Police Deputy Chief Sr. Comr. Sukirno said the police could not yet disclose the motive behind the blasts.

However, the police are focussing on two motives that were likely to be behind the bombings; the regional direct elections in June and the problematic Poso refugee funds.

Contacted separately, acting Poso Regent Andi Azikin Suyuti rejected the activist's accusations. He said that the NGOs had other vested interests.

There were several possibilities, he claimed. After he replaced Muin Pusadan as regent, Poso was relatively peaceful and Muslim and Christian residents had been able to live with each other.

Tentena, which was regarded as the most dangerous area for Muslims, can now be visited, and they can even stay the night at tourist sites. "The NGOs may possibly lose peace and reconciliation projects if Poso is already peaceful, so they accused me of the blasts," Azikin postulated.

He said that the activists might have blown up their respective offices, thus creating the impression that Poso was still not safe, in order that they could obtain further funding.

On accusations that he did not want to be bothered with the Poso refugee funds case, Azikin said that the funds were initially disbursed by the central government (Ministry of Social Welfare). Funds were then handed over to the Central Sulawesi provincial administration (social welfare office), and later to the Poso regental administration, which then distributed them to the refugees, at Rp 2.5 million (US$263) per person.

"The problem emerged during distribution of funds from the Poso regental administration to the refugees. That was when the funds were embezzled. I have submitted all the evidence and verified the matter with the police. The accusations are baseless," said Azikin.