Maluku seeks central government's help in restoration of peace
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)