Maluku seeks central government's help in restoration of peace

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku's civil emergency executors urged the central government on Friday to provide adequate policies and aid for the restoration of law and order in the disputed province.

"I think the situation in Maluku is closely related to the high political tension and turbulence in Jakarta.

"In such a situation, the handling of Maluku conflicts will be much slower," Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina told the closing assembly of a two-day meeting of Christians in Maluku.

"Political elites must remember that what happens in Jakarta affects the other regions, especially the riot-torn ones," Saleh asserted.

Similar meetings have previously been held by Muslims on Buru island and in the Waehaong.

The sessions of both religious groups are hoped to lead to the convention of a joint Maluku People's Meeting to advance reconciliation efforts in the strife-torn province.

Also speaking at Friday's event was Pattimura Military commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa.

"The civil emergency executor in Maluku needs improved policies, synchronized with the central government," said Latuconsina, chief of the civil emergency status.

The low capacity of law enforcement and high crime rates, such as illegal possession of weapons, are also a big obstacle in restoring law and order in Maluku, he said.

"Therefore I have continued asking for the deployment of judges and prosecutors to handle the various cases here," he said, adding that the demand had not yet been supported.

According to both Latuconsina and Yasa, efforts to end the violence are still being hampered by certain groups.

"There will always be parties who try to disrupt the peace and create chaos, and we are waiting for the right moment to apprehend them," the governor said.

Religion has been manipulated as a vehicle to create conflict and, furthermore, attempt to cause national disintegration, Yasa said. "In Maluku's case, it is obvious that religion is manipulated to segregate people by parties who are opposed to pluralism."

The exclusive behavior and egotism of the religious camps leads to hostility and rejection toward others, he said.

"This, concentrated in attitudes and acts of contempt, harassment and even the will to destroy others, indicates that beliefs in solidarity and loyalty have been influenced in an improper way," he said.

The general also noted that in Maluku there is a growing disrespect for religious leaders' authority. "It is even worse when the religious leaders misinterpret their own religious teaching," he added.

In an outbreak of violence on Thursday, Mobile Brigade officer Brig. Hengky Winarko was severely injured after activating a land mine on the border of Tial and Suli villages in Salahutu district.

The incident took place during a police border patrol.

The officer was rushed to Halong Naval Hospital for immediate treatment.

The border area is known as a trouble spot, a local journalist said. Since December last year one police officer, Brig. Jhonson Angkat, has been killed in the area, while two others have been injured in separate incidents. (49/edt)