North Maluku Police Chief Asserts Central Halmahera Clash Not Related to SARA Issues

North Maluku Police Chief Irjen Pol Waris Agono has asserted that the murder case leading to an inter-village clash in Central Halmahera is not related to ethnic, religious, racial, and inter-group (SARA) issues. He stated that the incident is suspected to have been triggered by provocations and the spread of unverified information.

“We emphasise that this is not a SARA conflict. There are indications that the event was influenced by provocations and the dissemination of information that is not necessarily true,” he said when contacted in Ternate on Monday (6/4).

At present, police investigators are continuing to probe the case by collecting various facts from the field, including gathering statements from surviving victims.

“We will trace all the facts, including statements from surviving victims who have important value because they experienced the incident directly,” he said.

Waris also reminded the public to remain calm and not to be easily provoked by information whose source or truth is unclear.

“Do not let unclear issues worsen the situation and cause misunderstandings in the community,” he stressed.

He affirmed that to date, no indications of involvement by specific groups in the case have been found.

“We emphasise that there are no clues pointing in that direction,” he said.

In addition, the police are delving into suspicions of provocations that could worsen security conditions in the community.

“Anyone who tries to divide and muddy the situation will be dealt with in accordance with applicable law,” he stated.

In efforts to uncover the case, National Police Headquarters is planned to deploy a team to assist the investigation process in the field.

The Police Chief also invited the public to exercise restraint and to fully entrust the handling of the case to law enforcement authorities.

“We urge the public not to be easily provoked. Give us time to work maximally in uncovering this case,” said Waris Agono.

To date, police apparatus continue to monitor the security situation in the region to ensure conditions remain safe and conducive.