Limited isolation imposed in Maluku
AMBON, Maluku (JP): The civil emergency ruler in Ambon, Saleh Latuconsina, declared on Saturday a limited isolation of the territory to prevent arms and ammunition smuggling.
The decision was taken following an evaluation meeting, which was attended by the province's top executive and legislative leaders and security authorities.
"The limited seclusion will adopt a persuasive approach, but if there is an unwanted development then the security officers will use repressive measures," Latuconsina said.
With the limited seclusion, the authorities are authorized to stop and search all vehicles and ships carrying people or goods that could disturb security and peace in the province.
"Ships that are found violating the rules will be detained by the Navy, the weapons will be seized and any persons involved in the business will be taken to court," Latuconsina said.
The Indonesian Military has voiced suspicion that Moro Muslim separatist rebels from the Philippines and other outside groups are supplying arms to the warring groups in Maluku.
Responding to reporters' questions, Latuconsina said a full isolation would not be imposed for fear that it would only worsen the province's economy. "However, if the limited isolation doesn't work, full isolation will be likely."
He asserted a conducive situation in Maluku could only be achieved if people exercised self-restraint and avoided being provoked.
The chief of the Pattimura Regional Command, Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa, reminded the people to be cautious of rumors. He said the military could not stop the conflict if the people failed to make peace with each other.
"Security troops cannot do anything if people are not willing to make peace. Our authority is limited because we only back up the governor as the civil emergency ruler," Yasa said.
Locals said they were gradually becoming aware that third parties were behind the prolonged sectarian clashes which have claimed thousands of lives.
In North Maluku, the commander of the Muslim group Jihad Force, Abubakar Wahid, handed over some 3,000 sharp weapons, some homemade riffles and Molotov cocktails to the province's governor, Muhyi Effendie, in the Tidore district on Saturday.
Muhyi said although the weapons surrendered were few in number, the move could lay a foundation for a more conducive atmosphere to achieving peace.
The governor also called on the nation's elite to look at the actual situation in the area before making any statements or judging the security condition in the province since the state of civil emergency took effect on June 27.
"The province's problems cannot be solved by using their theories and perceptions dispatched by the media," Muhyi said as quoted by Antara.
Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in Paso, Halong and Sirimau seeking to leave the war-torn Maluku.
"We can find no safe place in the province," a local, who was preparing to take his family to Irian Jaya, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
"The only safe place will be the islands close to East Timor, including Kisar island. But the area is always short of food," the man, who asked for anonymity, said.
He said people wanted to flee to Manado in North Sulawesi, Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara, Bali and Jakarta.
"A person needs between Rp 500,000 and Rp 600,000 to go by ship to Manado, and at least Rp 120,000 to Bali," he said.
In a statement released in response to the recent worsening situation in Ambon, the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) said declaring a state of civil emergency was not enough to stop the violence.
"The destruction and burning in some villages of houses, schools and houses of worship is continuing. The violence has claimed the lives of both Christians and Muslims," PGI chairman Nathan Setiabudi told journalists on Saturday.
He demanded the government take stern measures against military and police personnel who sided with the warring parties. He also renewed the call for the warring parties to stop all acts of violence.(48/49/dja)