Maluku will remain part of RI: Leaders

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)