Military cautious in Flores riot case

Military cautious in Flores riot case

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Local military chief Col. Eliza Hehamahua promised that the Armed Forces will "wisely" handle the recent rioting in Maumere on the island of Flores which left one person dead.

Hehamahua told reporters here Wednesday that this cautious approach was needed to create a peaceful climate in the region, and asked the public to stay calm.

Several people involved in this month's riot have already been questioned about the incident, which injured five people and destroyed some public facilities.

The incident was prompted by a trial taking place at the Maumere District Court of a man accused of desecrating the Roman Catholic Church. When news of the government prosecutor's request of 42 months imprisonment -- deemed by many to be too lenient -- was announced, a riot broke out shortly thereafter.

Hehamahua, who will leave for a new post in Jakarta shortly, said he had seen many "social upheavals" during his year-and-a- half term, including 13 incidents of religious desecration.

"The social upheavals are caused by openness, globalization and unfiltered information," Hehamahua was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

Hehamahua is to be replaced by Col. Tony A. Rompis. (swe)