Maluku's future threat

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