Maluku churches look to PB NU for help

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Catholic and Protestant Churches in Maluku are seeking the aid of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU), to help extract members of Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Jihad Force) out of the province.

In a letter dated May 20, 2000, and signed by the chairman of Maluku's Protestant Church Rev. SP Titaley and Secretary of Amboina Diocese Atjas TR, they claimed that local administration and security officers had half-heartedly acted in settling the interreligious clashes in Ambon and Maluku.

Before the arrival of members of Laskar Jihad last month, the situation in Maluku province, including the capital of Ambon, had been under control, the letter said. "Maluku people, be they Christians or Muslims, had stopped attacking each other. A small number of people were involved in minor fighting as revenge for losing relatives or belongings. But they were gradually toning down their temper. Then Laskar Jihad arrived and triggered a fresh outbreak of violence."

The churches also called on NU to arrange a dialog between Christians and Muslims in order to seek a reconciliation, the letter said. "Social and religious accord had been maintained for decades in the province. We want the peaceful situation to return."

The churches further asked NU to help arrange the replacement of "partial, unjust and dishonest" military officers so that peace and reconciliation could be reached.

Reports have said that some 2,200 members of Laskar Jihad entered Ambon last month.

Laskar Jihad earlier rejected a call from Maluku authorities and residents to leave the islands, saying that the request was baseless.

"Our members were only involved in fightings for self- defense," Yogyakarta-based Laskar Jihad spokesman Ayip Syarifuddin said recently when asked about the group's involvement.

Condemnation

In Jakarta, leader of the Nahdlatul Ulama's legislative Syuriah body Said Aqil Siradj condemned on Friday the aggressive moves allegedly committed by Laskar Jihad.

"Nahdlatul Ulama strongly condemns such action. Killing each other is not the answer. The Prophet Muhammad teaches us to preach by respecting other parties.

"We believe in a moralistic way of propagating Islam, and what the group (Laskar Jihad) do in Maluku is against basic (Islamic) principles," Said told The Jakarta Post by phone.

Said also said he had received complaints from Maluku's Muslim and Christian leaders upon the arrival of Laskar Jihad.

"NU branches (in Maluku) have long established a good relationship with the Christians. The situation in the islands was improving and was relatively calm in the past couple of months.

"The group's arrival added to the recent unrest and it is obvious that certain parties paid for all of their expenses and weaponry," he said, refusing to elaborate further.

President Abdurrahman Wahid had clearly warned Laskar Jihad not to enter Maluku, Said added, "And, therefore, now we have no choice but act together with NU, the authorities and the Maluku people to face the group and expel them from the islands."

Back in Ambon, Pattimura Military Commander overseeing Maluku Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela said he had ordered massive gun sweeping operations in each village in Ambon and Maluku.

He also added the death toll had reached 34, with more than 70 others injured in an overnight armed mass attack at the Mamuya village in Galela district on Halmahera island, North Maluku.

"I have ordered naval ships in North Maluku to block the waters between the islands to stop rioters," Tamaela said in his office on Friday.

A fresh batch of crack riot troops from the National Police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and Infantry Battalion IX in Jember, East Java is slated to arrive on Saturday, Tamaela added.

The latest trouble erupted on Friday morning in Bula and West Seram districts on Seram island, Central Maluku, as a mob of hundreds tried to attack other neighboring camps.

Seram island is about one day on a speedboat from North Maluku's Halmahera island.

"The crowd vandalized several houses, but we quickly dispersed them. There were no casualties reported," Tamaela said.

"Stern action will be taken against rioters, whoever they are. Too many people have died in vain," he added.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina shared Tamaela's view, adding that the authorities were working on an arrangement to expel Laskar Jihad. "We have to do it carefully as not to trigger further upheaval." (48/49/edt/sur)