Mega orders probe into Ambon attack

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.