Local migrants recall bitter memories in 'sweet' Ambon
By Jupriadi
UJUNGPANDANG (JP): After the large-scale riots that struck Ambon, thousands of migrants fled the provincial capital of Maluku, returning to their hometowns.
Among them are the Makassar Buginese who are now in an exodus back to their region of origin in South Sulawesi.
Nurliah, 28, an inhabitant of Mardika neighborhood in Rijali subdistrict, was breast-feeding her youngest, a two-month old infant, on the eve of Idul Fitri, when the sound of people praising God changed into cries as stones flew through the air and fires erupted everywhere.
She took the baby with her and her two other children who were playing in the yard, and checked out what was happening. "I saw some of our neighbors go into the street and get into a fight with people from Batu Merah village," she told The Jakarta Post after she had disembarked from the vessel arriving in Ujungpandang from Ambon on Jan. 31.
When she was still in a state of shock, back in Ambon, she saw that the house next door to hers had been gutted by fire. She ran quickly into her own house to fetch her bag with the remainder of her money and two items of clothes. Full of fear, she and her children tried to find their way through the street brawl. "I was anxious and could hardly believe what I saw. Bloodstains everywhere. Bodies lying about. We escaped fortunately, thanks to the help of a soldier," she said further.
It looked like a scene in a film, but it was a tragic and bitter fact causing sadness to all. Ambon, nicknamed Ambon Manise or sweet Ambon, is no longer sweet. On Jan. 19, a Muslim migrant was in dispute with a Christian driver. The fight soon sparked violence with religious overtones in the province, leading to 95 deaths. About two weeks after the riots, the city saw some 4,000 South Sulawesi people flee from Ambon.
Nurliah herself hails from Gowa regency, 15 kilometers south of Ujungpandang, and had lived in Ambon for two years. She decided to return to her home village after her house and belongings in the Mardika area were reduced to ashes.
Together with her husband, a small-scale trader, and their three small children, they sought refuge in a navy barracks. Only after eight days, with the money in her bag and the money from her husband's pocket, did she succeed in buying tickets for the trip to Ujungpandang. Unfortunately this money was insufficient and her husband had to stay behind. "My husband is still in Mardika," she said sadly, wiping tears off her cheeks.
Mustari, 40, a Jeneponto resident who returned from Ambon with his wife and three children, said he had left the city after taking refuge for four days in a mosque. He had been separated from his family for two days. He said that on Jan. 19 he left the house to find a safe place for his family. But when he returned home, the house was empty. "I flew into a panic. I did not know where to look for my family," he said. Fortunately, after two days, he received news that his wife was at the local police station. He felt great relief and went to find the family, escorted by a member of the strategic command as the situation gradually returned to normal.
It was this bitter experience that drove him and other Makassar Buginese migrants to leave Ambon. The first wave of the exodus from Ambon arrived on Jan. 26 with 26 people traveling by plane and landing at Hasanuddin Airport. It was followed by other waves. The next day 222 people consisting of 52 employees of the State Audit Agency, 35 employees of the state savings bank, BTN, and 135 children made the trip by MV Bukit Siguntang. Four days later, on Jan.31, a group of 1,058 people including 219 children arrived. On Feb.2, 1,458 Ambonese including inhabitants of North Maluku made the same trip. The exodus has not stopped. On Monday, about 10,000 people from Sulawesi living in Ambon reportedly crowded into the port there looking for a chance to return to their hometowns.
Local military district commander Lt. Col. S. Widjanarko who personally supervised the arrival of refugees in Ujungpandang said many passengers did not have tickets.
"We do not know the number for sure, but it is well into the hundreds," he said.
Rusli, 22, a refugee from Batu Merah village in Ambon, admitted that he and scores of fellow passengers embarked without a ticket.
A 'Rinjani' crew member said, "The ship's personnel do not want to enforce the rules. They have pity on the frightened refugees."
The refugees, most of them traders and fishermen, came with all their family members including in-laws, and carried household articles like stoves, sleeping mats, sewing machines and electronic wares.
Usman, 65, had with him all 11 of his family members. "I am planning to send my children and grandchildren to school in Bone," said the man who used to rent pedicabs in Batu Merah.
Wirabuana military region commander Maj. Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy cautioned the Makassar Buginese community to remain patient and not be influenced by rumors. "We must show resignation in the face of this temptation," he said.