Maluku will remain part of RI: Leaders

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku will remain part of the Republic of Indonesia "for whoever will constitutionally lead the country", leaders of the disputed province stated.

"Whoever leads this country ... as long as they are being elected constitutionally, it will not affect the Malukus. The province is part of Indonesian history," Maluku Council Speaker Etty Sahuburua said on Wednesday.

Maluku is one of the first eight provinces that founded Indonesia as a country, Sahuburua said.

"We cannot deny the fact that many national heroes are Maluku figures. Roots of the country's history run very deep here and we will support a unitary Indonesia," the councillor said.

Similar sentiment was also expressed by councillor Jhon Mailoa and Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina.

"Actually we are striving to pull Maluku together as a province.

"Despite the bloody and tiring conflicts here, people wish so much that the government would do something quickly to save us from further despair," Latuconsina said.

Latuconsina, however, said that the separatist movement, such as the South Maluku Republic (RMS), is still considered a latent threat.

"So it is up to the political will of the government to save Maluku," Jhon Mailoa said, adding that people are getting tired of being bullied and terrorized.

Conflict in the Malukus has claimed more than 8,000 lives and have been constant for over two years. No less than 230,000 people have fled homes and ended up as refugees.

Late on Wednesday, members and representatives of the Maluku Protestant Church (GPM) were still in the process of electing the GPM Synod chief, who will hold the position for the next five years.

Four prospective candidates are Rev. Broery Hendriks, Rev. Leo Lohi, Rev. Hengki Leleuri and Rev. Emus Mailoa.

Separately, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani met with representatives of the Netherlands' religious community.

Firman said disputes among three parties trigger Maluku conflicts, namely, local people, politicians and the press.

The delegation also asked about the police's capability of handling conflicts in Maluku.

"We admit that police have experienced difficulties finding our feet, but we are striving to do our duty while there are no adequate facilities for us.

"Law enforcement is very slow in Maluku because if we try to convict someone in relation to violence cases ... the group involved will deploy its masses to defend the suspects," Firman said. (49/edt)