Maluku charges 129 with treason for raising RMS flag

Maluku charges 129 with treason for raising RMS flag

Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku

Police in Maluku have charged 129 people with treason after
they were allegedly caught hoisting the flag of the South Maluku
Republic (RMS) separatist movement during its 53th anniversary on
April 25.

"The 129 detainees have been officially charged with treason,"
said Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Sutrisno on Saturday.

Under article 106 of the Criminal Code, suspects face up to 20
years in jail for treason.

"We will submit their dossiers to the prosecutors office as
soon as possible," Bambang said.

Police went all out to prevent locals hoisting the RMS flag on
its anniversary. Police said they arrested others as they held
secret meetings to prepare for the occasion.

One of the suspects is a police officer identified as Andre
Kakisina. Police arrested Andre as he was making uniforms for the
RMS paramilitary members.

The RMS separatist movement has regained popularity, mainly
among Maluku's Christian communities, following a three-year
conflict with Muslims on the island.

Responding to growing calls for the government to hold talks
with the RMS, the Maluku administration said this was unlikely.

"If there is an idea to do so, we will consider it
(negotiation), but it's unlikely for us to take this measure,"
Maluku acting governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang said Saturday.

Maluku Military Commander Maj. Gen. Agustadi dismissed the
idea, saying that negotiating with banned organizations did not
make sense.

"We have disbanded the organization (RMS) and should we engage
in talks with them, that's like acknowledging them. So why should
we hold any dialogue," he said.

Calls have grown to hold talks with the separatists following
RMS' anniversary on April 25. The movement cited the Indonesian
government's stance to negotiate with the Free Aceh Movement
(GAM).

GAM has been fighting for the independence of the resource
rich province of Aceh since 1976. The war has claimed more than
10,000 lives, mainly civilians. A peace agreement signed last
year appears to be collapsing.

The government said that opening talks with the RMS was not
the answer for Maluku as the movement lacked support from the
people.

Sinyo said that only a few people in Maluku were willing to
identify themselves with the struggle of RMS.

"It's final. Maluku is part of Indonesia, and there is just no
place for the separatist movement here," he said.