Limited isolation imposed in Maluku
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)