No compromise with RMS: Officials

No compromise with RMS: Officials

Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku

Maluku's acting governor Sinyo Harri Sarundayang insisted that
the civilian emergency authorities would not compromise with the
South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist movement in the planned
observance of its 54th anniversary on April 25.

He said he had ordered local security authorities to take
"stern measures" against the rebels and their activities aimed at
seeking wider support for the separatist movement.

"We will remain firm and there is no compromise with RMS which
is fighting for the province's separation from the unitary state
(of Indonesia)," he told The Jakarta Post here on Thursday.

Sarundayang warned the members of the separatist movement,
which has been fully supported by the Maluku Sovereignty Forum
(FKM), against provoking the people to celebrate the RMS
anniversary, or raising the RMS flag.

"So far, the banning of RMS and FKM activities have not been
lifted. The authorities will take strict actions against any
individuals or groups breaching the ban," he said.

The Jakarta Higher Court has ordered the police to arrest FKM
Chairman Alex Manuputty while the latter is appealing over the
recent verdict of the South Jakarta district court which
sentenced him to three years imprisonment for subversion. The
arrest order was given to prevent Alex from fleeing the country.

Alex was put on trial after he and other FKM supporters raised
the RMS flag in observance of RMS's 53rd anniversary in Ambon on
April 25, last year.

Maluku Police Chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Sutrisno lashed out at
the separatist movement, but said that the RMS and FKM supporters
had weakened following Alex's arrest.

"Yet, security authorities remain on alert for possible
activities by the RMS in the next three weeks and we (police)
will coordinate with the civilian emergency administration to
enforce the law," he said.

Sutrisno told the people of Maluku to quit supporting RMS and
FKM, because it would raise new problems, in addition to the
currently waning sectarian conflict that brought grief and trauma
to the province for nearly four years.

Maj. Gen. Agustadi, chief of the Pattimura military command
overseeing Maluku and North Maluku, called on the people not to
be easily influenced by RMS supporters to take action that would
be against the law.

"Any groups who violate the law will have to face the security
authorities and law enforcers and we will not hesitate to take
act against them," he warned.

Meanwhile, Adj. Sr. Comr. Sihotang, chief of the Central
Maluku Police Precinct, said he had deployed a dozen detectives
to investigate the dissemination of FKM circulars calling on the
people of Maluku to fully support the celebration of RMS's
anniversary in the regency.

"The circular has been signed by FKM Secretary General Moses
Tuanakota with a call on FKM supporters and the people to remain
loyal to RMS which is fighting for the province's independence,"
he said, adding that the police would continue monitoring the
situation in the regency.

Sihotang added that FKM activists were believed to be holding
secret meetings to make preparations for the anniversary
celebration, and that so far the police had arrested two civil
servants who participated in the secret meetings. He declined to
identify the two, but said they were residents of Kairatu
district in the regency.