Maluku's future threat

The nation is sad. In the midst of the great spirit of peace in Maluku, a bomb exploded on Jl. Kapitan Hulu Paha in Ambon on April 3. The terrifying bomb explosion killed four residents and injured dozens of people. Afterward, people went on the rampage and set ablaze the Maluku governor's office.

The bombing and the attack on the governor's office were barbaric acts. These incidents not only claimed four lives and injured dozens of people, but also disrupted the peaceful atmosphere in Maluku which had developed since the signing of the Malino II peace agreement.

It is feared that these incidents will cause the communal conflict, which was ended with the peace agreement, to spread. If this tragedy is not handled carefully, it would threaten the future of the peace agreement and, of course, Maluku's future.

All parties should be careful in dealing with this incident, as it is possible the intention of the perpetrators was to arouse the suspicion of the people, who have begun to live again in peace. If suspicion spreads among the people, the perpetrators will have been quite successful in their mission, and they will reap the harvest.

In this respect, the security apparatuses and government officials must act carefully in handling the bombing and the burning of this Maluku governor's office. Any errors in addressing these incidents will negatively impact the future of Maluku and the nation. The peace that all parties hope for will simply fall apart.

-- Republika, Jakarta