Is martial law needed in Ambon?

The recent upsurge in violence in Ambon, which was partly provoked by the flying of flags of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) secessionist movement and reached its fiercest point yet in the village of Soya, seems to be indicting and mocking.

Soya is located in a hilly area, and the fires caused by the bombs that were set off there were so large that they could be seen as far away as Ambon.

The tragedy in Soya no longer seems to be indicting; rather it is an indictment: look, the violence continues in Ambon.

The sentiments behind the Malino II peace accord were noble enough, but now that accord is being ridiculed and put to the test. Which is stronger: cooperation, peace and reconciliation, or destruction, division and provocation.

Ambon is not just Ambon or Maluku. Ambon is Indonesia. Yes, Ambon is us, Indonesians. The conflict and violence that continue there have an impact on everyone in Indonesia.

Of course, the government, the security apparatus and we the public also learn a lesson every time more violence occurs. We admit that the process of the Malino II agreement is not yet completed, and the violence has been incited by parties who do not want a peaceful solution to the problems in Maluku.

Past experiences and recent developments, including the violence in the village of Soya, raise some urgent questions. One of these is whether the civil emergency authorities are capable of enforcing the Malino II peace accord in Ambon?

Pursuing more effective policies and steps must be seriously considered. One of these steps would be elevating the status of the civil emergency in Maluku to that of martial law.

-- Kompas, Jakarta