Mega orders probe into Ambon attack
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri instructed Maluku authorities to make a thorough investigation into the deadly attack on Soya village and to take tough action against those involved in the violence that has derailed the two-month-old Malino peace agreement.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said after a meeting with the President on Tuesday that Megawati also asked authorities under the civil emergency to replace officials whose responsibility was to maintain peace and order in the province.
Also attending the meeting held at the presidential palace were Vice President Hamzah Haz and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti.
The minister did not elaborate on who should be made to account for the incident but according to the law, Governor Saleh Latuconsina has been in charge of the civil emergency imposed last July.
Twelve people were killed and several others seriously injured when unidentified gunmen launched an attack on Soya village on Sunday morning.
The situation in Ambon remained tense after shots were fired at two motorboats off Teluk Dalam in the city on Tuesday. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Antara news agency reported that the incident occurred when a speedboat Tobastar loaded with passengers from Galala in Sirimau Subdistrict traveling to Benteng in Nusanive subdistrict and another speedboat Amilos traveling in the opposite direction were fired at.
The firing stopped after several Marine Corps members who later escorted the two speedboats fired warning shots into the air. The Marine Corps unit later deployed two speedboats with a number of soldiers to step up security along the sea lane.
Asked about the possibility of imposing martial law in the province, Susilo said the government had not decided whether it was necessary to impose martial law to end the conflict.
"We are waiting for a further report from the Maluku authorities on the latest developments to evaluate the situation, he said.
National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Tuesday that he had instructed the Maluku Police not to hesitate in taking tough action and to arrest those suspected of inciting chaos or religious violence.
"Whether they belong to a Muslim (radical) group or a Christian group or whatever ... we won't tolerate any violations of the law. They will be arrested and will be tried according to the law," Da'i told reporters in Surabaya, East Java.
A reliable source at the National Police Headquarters who requested anonymity said that eyewitnesses to the recent attacks, acts of arson and bombings were traumatized.
"They are in shock. They have said that the attackers were all dressed from head to foot in black ... and that they were professionals. They conducted the attacks and arson within seconds. They fought like trained soldiers," one source said at the National Police Headquarters.
Meanwhile, support from military officials and politicians has been increasing for declaring martial law in Maluku.
Admiral Widodo A.S., chief of the Indonesian Military, said the government should have plausible reasons to impose martial law.
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the government should impose martial law because of the worsening situation and the civilian administration's ineffectiveness.
"The government should consider taking a further step that can effectively end violence by imposing martial law," Akbar told the press here.
Sutradara Gintings, chairman of the Indonesian National Unity (KKI) faction concurred saying the civil emergency currently imposed on Maluku has proven ineffective.
House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno said earlier that the current officials in Maluku should step down if they were unable to restore security and order and stop the conflict.