Politicians, legislators call for an end to violence
Politicians, legislators call for an end to violence
JAKARTA (JP): A dozen politicians and legislators called on
Tuesday for an end to sectarian clashes and violence in a number
of troubled provinces and warned against "a group of elites" that
had been exploiting the situation for its own political agenda.
Members from the Interparty Caucus of Young Politicians also
called on the police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) to
immediately stop the violence before it spread to other parts of
the country.
"We appeal to the nation to stop all kinds of violence, the
killing and the destruction of properties.
"We also call on political and religious leaders to foster
solidarity and religious tolerance to prevent the conflicts from
spreading to other areas," the group said in a statement.
The group comprises Bara Hasibuan and Hatta Taliwang of the
National Mandate Party, Zoelvan Lindan, Meilono Soewondo, Pramono
and Heri Achmadi of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle,
Muhaimin Iskandar and Ali Maskur Musa of the National Awakening
Party, Imanuel Blegur and Ade Komarudin of the Golkar Party, Arif
Mudayat of the United Development Party and Ucu Natsir of the
Justice and Unity Party.
Violent clashes between Muslims and Christians in the riot-
torn province of Maluku have killed more than 2,000 people since
they first erupted early last year.
Almost 10,000 troops and police have already been deployed to
Maluku to stop the violence which has caused massive damage and
forced tens of thousands of people to flee the province.
Many fear that the ongoing Maluku violence will spark
religious enmity in other provinces.
The group also said that it fully supports President
Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and
called on other politicians "not to disrupt the government that
has been democratically elected".
A similar concern was expressed by 25 women's organizations
grouped under Perempuan Indonesia during a media conference at
the office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
In their joint-statement, the group said the protracted
conflict enveloping the country could be solved if TNI settled
its internal conflict. They said the protracted unrest escalated
because ordinary people became involved.
"What is happening in Maluku is not a conflict based on faith,
so we ask people throughout the country to be aware of
provocation," the group's spokesperson Musdah Mulia said.
The women's group urged the government to be tough with the
alleged perpetrators of the violence.
Musdah said that the organizations had established a crisis
and aid center to help the refugees and the people of the riot-
torn capital of Ambon. (01/byg)