Militiamen get warm welcome in East Timor
Militiamen get warm welcome in East Timor
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Dili
Rumor had it that all members of the anti-independence militia
would be killed if they returned to East Timor. It was so intense
that Americo Pinto, a Timorese who was once a part of the
Indonesian Military (TNI) and later a militia member, once vowed
never to return to the newly independent country.
But he could not resist his longing to return and participate
in the development process of the country. He eventually
returned, and to his surprise he received a warm welcome.
"I returned later in 2001 with some 25 East Timorese former
officers of the TNI. We were warmly welcomed by the East
Timorese, particularly some independence activists," he said.
"Despite the fact that we were former members of the TNI and
militia, there was no revenge pursued against us," he said.
Americo, 47, a former officer of the Indonesian military TNI's
Kodim (District Military Command) 1629 in Lautem regency, was one
of more than 200 former officers of TNI, Police and anti-
independence militiamen, who returned and received a peaceful
welcome in East Timor.
The militia leaders who returned included Nomencio Lopes de
Carvalho, the deputy commander of militia sector C (comprising
Covalima, Ainaro, Bobonaro and Liquisa regencies) and Konstantio,
the commander of the notorious MAHIDI (mati atau hidup dengan
Indonesia, live or die with Indonesia) militia.
According to Americo, such a warm welcome was the result of
the pro-independence groups' understanding that not all problems
should be tackled violently and emotionally.
"People here now strongly believe in the importance of legal
supremacy. They do suspect that the TNI was involved in the
scorched-earth policy after East Timor separated from Indonesia.
But because there is no strong evidence against me personally,
they just received us and did not try to take justice into their
hands," said Americo, who claimed to be a sergeant first class
and once a commander of a military company.
"Now after returning here (East Timor) we're charged with
betraying Indonesia. But for me East Timor is my country of birth
and its my duty to take part in its development," he said.
Separately, the village head of Fuiloro-Lospalos in Lautem
regency told the press last week that East Timor had become an
independent country and there is no reason to be involved in
hostility.
"Since we are fellow East Timorese, we have tried to forget
the past. Let the law try the wrongdoers. There is no street
justice here anymore," he said.
Another militiamen, Jamaica Muare, 47, shared Americo's view,
saying that he returned to East Timor not because he was
persuaded by other people but because of his desire to live in
the new country.
"As a former official with the Indonesian government and a
treasurer of an East Timorese militia, I felt it necessary to
return and to explain what really happened after the plebiscite
in East Timor in 1999," said Jamaica, a former head of Lautem's
District Investment Coordinating Board, and the treasurer for
Alfa militia.
He said that initially when he came to East Timor with
Bonifacio do Santos, a former head of Lautem's social welfare
agency, a number of East Timorese came to scorn them. But there
were also members of pro-independence groups who expressed their
sincere welcome with tears in their eyes and commended our
decision to return.
"Actually, I was accused of committing the scorched-earth
action in Lautem. But there was not enough evidence on my
involvement. And I'm free," he said.
He admitted that he was a former treasurer of Alfa militia. "I
was entrusted to manage the militia's funds which were about Rp
188 million," he noted.
He called on the East Timorese refugees, including former
Indonesian military or police officers and militiamen, to return
to their respective hometowns in East Timor.
"They shouldn't be reluctant to return. The law is well
enforced here. All legal cases will be processed fairly. And
there is no street justice here," he noted.