Poso and national vigilance

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