Laksar Jihad and Maluku

The presence of more than 3000 Laksar Jihad militiamen spread across Maluku and North Maluku, and concentrated on Pulau Dama, Morotai and Galela, should soon be ended. They must be asked to leave Maluku, as their presence is more harming than benefiting the peace efforts carried out by the government.

The statement by their commander, Ustadz Jafar Umar, that they will remain in Ambon is very nonconducive for reconciliation in Maluku. Indeed, it is a purposeful effort to make it difficult for the Indonesian government to solve the Maluku problem. If it is left as it is, it will directly or indirectly trouble President Abdurrahman Wahid's government, because if Maluku is not peaceful, the government will be considered incapable of overcoming and controlling Ambon, which also means that people will be much more tempted to invite foreign intervention.

Foreign intervention could take the form of the deployment of multinational troops or a blockade of Indonesia. If such things occur, the victims will be all of the Indonesian people. Two hundred million Indonesian people will suffer because of Ustadz Jafar Umar and his 3000 Laksar Jihad troops. Vice President Megawati has visited Maluku several times, but it seems her visits are fruitless, thwarted not only by Jakarta intellectuals but also by groups from outside Maluku.

Let the Maluku people solve their own problems; outsiders shouldn't meddle in their problems. The government should only provide them the facilities, while the security apparatuses should maintain the process. In restoring order, the police should act first, assisted by the military. There's no need to wear any masks, including the "bringing" of a noble religion in the interests of individuals or groups.

The history of Indonesia shows that rebellions in religious guises can be crushed by the government, namely by the apparatus. Therefore, in this reform era, never let certain groups of people force the security forces to take unconstitutional measures.

SULAIMAN

Jakarta