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)