Maluku residents don't need help from outsiders

Maluku residents don't need help from outsiders

By Fabiola Desy Unidjaja

LANGGOR, Maluku (JP): Representatives from across Maluku
gathered on Thursday to begin a three-day discussion aimed at
finding a solution to the prolonged sectarian conflict that has
plagued the area since 1999.

Some 1,500 people from different backgrounds and religions
enthusiastically gathered here to take part in the event, saying
they were tired of living their lives in the shadow of the
continuing conflict.

"We do not want to find ourselves in this horrible situation
ever again. We are tired, we want our lives to return to normal,"
Bastian Leonopo, a representative from West Southeast Maluku
regency, told The Jakarta Post.

Bastian, along with some 50 others from the regency, traveled
by boat since Monday to reach the site of the discussion on Key
island, which is part of the Aru islands. During the event, they
will stay in the houses of local residents.

"Let us find a solution to these clashes in our own way,
because we have our own traditions and culture that will be more
effective in ending the dispute. The presence of people from
outside (the province) will only worsen the situation," he
remarked.

"There might still be hatred among us, as some of us have lost
loved ones. Still we cannot remain in this situation forever. We
will find a solution," Bastian added.

Junior Minister of the Acceleration of Development in Eastern
Indonesia Manuel Kaisiepo officially opened the event, which was
organized by the Go-East Institute.

The discussion is meant to facilitate a reconciliation between
the warring parties in the province, helping them decide on and
plan measures to end the sectarian conflict using their own ideas
and culture.

Another representatives, Elis Lesmopo from Ambon mayoralty,
said that in the past two years people in Ambon had lost hope of
ever living as a normal community again.

"Now, even though there is no more shooting, we still cannot
live together peacefully as we did before. As a Christian, it is
impossible for me to visit Muslim areas. It is so difficult to
live like that," Elis told the Post.

There are some 200 people representing Ambon at the event,
including local religious leaders and representatives of numerous
social and youth organizations, including the Indonesian Muslim
Students Association and the Indonesian Catholic Students
Association.

The tension could still be detected in the faces of the
representatives from Ambon, where the violence originally began
and the last area to enjoy a resumption of peace, however uneasy.

The small town of Langgor has been enlivened by the presence
of representatives from Ambon, Southeast Maluku, North Maluku,
Buru island and the Aru islands.

Many of the participants traveled for days to reach the small
Key island. However, the long journey did not dampen their
enthusiasm and they were anxious to find a way to end the
conflict and begin rebuilding their communities.

"It is a very tiring job for us to serve these people. But it
is worth it for the sake of our own community," one Langgor
resident said.