Marines get new assignment in Maluku
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In wake of an explosion that ripped through a passenger ferry, killing nine people and injuring dozens more, Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina has ordered the Marine Corps to escort ships and patrol seaports in the war-torn province.
The governor took the action after consulting with local security officials; the Marines will effectively replace officers from the National Police's Mobile Brigade.
Under the new policy, the Marine units will be in charge of monitoring all seaports, along with all ships and boats entering and leaving the province, especially in Ambon Bay.
The increased security will also include the coordinated efforts of provincial police and intelligence agents as well as other branches of law enforcement through the holidays, the governor said here on Friday.
Local police officials are still looking into the cause of the explosion that rocked the California as it traveled between Gudang Arang in Nasawine subdistrict and Galala in Sirimau subdistrict last Tuesday.
Of the 41 people injured in the blast, many remain in critical condition, and are undergoing intensive medical treatment at the Navy's hospital and Dr. Haulussy General Hospital in Ambon.
Under a civil state of emergency, imposed to resolve the conflict that erupted on Jan. 19, 1999, the provincial administration can no longer take any direct action, but is required to enforce martial law.
The ongoing sectarian strife has claimed in excess of 5,000 military and civilian lives, and left tens of thousands more injured and displaced.
Separately, the Maluku legislative leadership has called on local military and police officials to improve their performance, especially in intelligence, to take preventative measures against acts of terror following the ship explosion.
"All intelligence officers must improve their performance to warn both the executive (branch) and the public in anticipation of any new violence," Etty Sahuburua, chairwoman of the provincial legislative council, said.
She cautioned that new clashes and acts of violence against civilians could erupt even by accident, despite the tougher rulings under the state of emergency.
"The security apparatus, both from the police and military, should work in unison to calm the situation, regardless of their religious background," she said. And, in addition, be vigilant against "provocative actions that could worsen the situation," she continued.
She pledged that the legislative council would do its best to assist authorities in their fight to impose order, despite shortages of needed facilities and equipment.
The legislature, she added, has already agreed to increase the province's 2002 security budget for this reason.
Law No. 23/1959 allows the Maluku governor, among others,
- to make rulings necessary to restore security and order - to order crackdowns by police and military officials on all places through general and special assignments - to seize any material suspected of being used to disturb the peace - to bar local people from holding general meetings and marches and entering areas and buildings prone to clashes - to limit local people to areas just outside of their houses