No additional troops for Maluku

AMBON, Maluku: Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa said on Monday that there will be no additional troops deployed to Maluku.

"No additional troops will be dispatched. There will only be troop rotations and routine assignments," Yasa said after a closed-door meeting with Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina and Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani on Monday.

Yasa further said that Ambon military sector commander Col. A. Siswanto is being replaced by Lt. Col. Ketut Sudarta.

Military personnel from Infantry Battalion 141/Sriwijaya and Infantry Battalion 403/Diponegoro have been moved back to their base as they have already served in the Maluku area for eight months.

"They need a change and since the situation is getting better here, the existing troops should be able to manage," he said.

There are about 16 military and police battalions deployed in North Maluku and Maluku province. (49/edt)