Poso and national vigilance

The outbreak of violence in Poso, Central Sulawesi, on Oct. 9 and Oct.12, in which 10 people in three villages were killed, is indeed deplorable and represents a challenge to the nation to manage the country with greater justice, transparency, accountability and democracy.

This strife may have been due, first, to the fallout from a power struggle between members of local elites; second, the emergence of social and political grudges arising from the communal conflict almost five years ago; third, the presence of certain parties trying to provoke and benefit from local unrest; fourth, the maneuverings of international terrorist networks via their Poso operatives.

Rumors are also widespread about the involvement of military and police personnel, as indicated by armed, fast and tactical attacks in the incident. Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono affirmed that the attacks had been perpetrated by "old faces" collaborating with new ones. Army chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said no military arms were found, therefore no soldiers were involved.

What we need now is national vigilance to face the big challenge of maintaining national unity and integrity. Therefore, it is not only necessary to resolve conflict in Poso, Aceh and Papua, but also important to create security, uphold the law, carry out social rehabilitation, reconstruct the national economy and achieve reconciliation.

TONI ERVIANTO Jakarta