Judges to soon return to Maluku: Yusril

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government is expected to soon send back judges to Maluku to strengthen law enforcement in a bid to bring back peace to a province ravaged by three years of sectarian violence.

Prosecuting those violating the law is considered a crucial phase in the peace process but the authorities are faced with a serious shortage of judges and prosecutors.

The law enforcement issue forms part of the agreement made between the representatives of warring Maluku Muslim and Christian communities in Malino, South Sulawesi on Feb. 12, 2002.

The conflict, which has reportedly claimed some 6,000 lives, scared off almost all the prosecutors, judges and court clerks, working in the province.

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra, speaking on the sidelines of the people-smuggling conference in Bali, said the situation in Maluku had eased after the signing of the Malino peace accord.

"We are considering sending at least two boards of judges by the end of this month at the latest," said Yusril adding that his ministry would liaise with the Supreme Court regarding the selection of the judges.

Yusril had earlier said that he would send judges to Maluku only after the situation improved. His remarks have sparked severe criticism because the government was considered too slow in implementing law enforcement there.

Ambon District Court deputy chief F. Takaria complained that Maluku was facing a serious shortage of prosecutors and judges -- two crucial elements in law enforcement.

"There were 10 judges at the Ambon District Court, including its chief and deputy chief, before the conflict. Today only three judges are left," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Takaria added that Yusril had promised to send seven judges to Ambon but had yet to do so.

Separately, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, also attending the conference, told reporters that police had identified two warring groups still committing violence in Maluku.

"There are two groups -- Christian and Muslim -- which are against the Malino peace deal," he said.

They identified the Christian group as the separatist Maluku Sovereignty Forum (FKM) chaired by Dr. Alex Manuputti and the Muslim group as Kelompok 11 (the Group of Eleven) chaired by Rustam Kastor.

"We will approach them and hear their what they have to say and at the same time closely monitor their activities," said Da'i, adding that these groups comprised minority interests.

"Their influence is not significant. However, the police could only arrest them if they are found violating the laws, such as possessing illegal weapons."

Regarding the presence of the Java-based Muslim militant group Laskar Jihad, Dai said that as long as it was working on humanitarian activities, such as medical and social activities, the police could accept its presence.

"But, if they come to Maluku with weapons, we would certainly take stern action against them," he said.

In maintaining security in Maluku, Dai also plans to gradually send 590 members of the elite police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) to Java for refresher programs.

"They have been in Maluku since the first conflict erupted three years ago. They are physically and mentally exhausted," he said.

They will be sent to training center in Porong to attend various courses and training for one month.

"The rotation of the police members in Maluku is part of our efforts to place fresh and objective officers in order to maintain security there," Dai said.

Meanwhile, thousands of Maluku Muslims from South Sulawesi arrived on Wednesday at the Alfatah Grand Mosque in Ambon, to discuss the Malino peace pact.

Following the event at the mosque, more than 500 of the participants from Pelauw, Kabauw, Rohomoni and Kailolo walked one kilometer to the Maluku governor's office where they were greeted with hugs and tears by Christians from the same four areas.

A Christian grassroots figure, Emang Nikijuluw, who witnessed the emotional reunion with Maluku administration officials, said that this was what Christians had always expected from Muslims.

"We are brothers ... but our Muslim and Christian communities were misused by a third party. If we fail to realize that now, the Maluku people will end up extinct from killing one another," Emang said.