'Laskar Jihad' members sent to Ambon

YOGYAKARTA (JP): As many as 3,000 members of the so-called Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah popularly known as Laskar Jihad will leave for Ambon on Sunday through the Surabaya seaport on Tanjung Perak, its commander said.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post in his residence in Ngemplak, Sleman regency, some 15 kilometers north of here on Saturday, Ja'far Umar Thalib said that many people would go at their own expense via public transports.

Previously they would leave together in a big convoy for Surabaya, "but local security officers suggested that they not cause traffic congestion."

"None of them carry weapons or guns. Their weapons are religious books. They are supposed to be propagators," Ja'far Umar said.

He stated that 149 members left for Ambon on April 26. "They prepared everything there prior to the arrival of the other 3,000 members. One thing that everybody should be aware of is we don't want to fight. We are giving religious (Islamic) teachings to our brother Muslims there."

It would take around three days for them (the 3,000 members) to go from Surabaya to Maluku. "As soon as they reach Ambon they will be placed in separate areas in Maluku or North Maluku, depending on the demand."

According to Ja'far, the daily expenses for the 3,000 Laskar Jihad members in Maluku would reach Rp 25 million a day, including accommodation and meals.

"The money comes from the organization, and donations from those who are symphathetic to us."

"In principle, we don't want to burden the locals. Yet we have planned social works, donating food, clothes and medicines. Seven doctors and ten paramedics are among the 3,000 members." (swa/sur)