Probe into military role in Ambon conflict sought
Probe into military role in Ambon conflict sought
Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Maluku provincial councillors urged on Thursday the government-
sanctioned team probing violations of the law in the troubled
province to investigate the alleged involvement of security
personnel in the prolonged sectarian conflict.
During a meeting with the visiting investigation team, the
councillors also demanded a thorough investigation of all
military and police commanders who were in office during the
clashes over the past three years. They include former Pattimura
military commanders and former provincial police chiefs.
Maluku saw three military commanders and five police chiefs
during the cycle of bloodshed between Christians and Muslims who
had once been friends and neighbors. More than 6,000 were killed
before peace came earlier this year.
Bito Temmar of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) faction said he doubted the independency of the
team, since it had to report the investigation results to the
government whereas "it is assigned to probe alleged involvement
of security personnel who actually are part of the government".
"I think the team has acknowledged that the conflict involved
a separatist movement. But I wonder why this kind of rebellion
followed the sectarian conflict?" Bito asked, referring to the
South Maluku Republic (RMS) group and its military wing Maluku
Liberation Front (FKM).
Other legislators present included: Lutfy Sanaky and Fatimah
Kilwouw of the United Development Party (PPP) faction; Abdul Gani
Salampessy of the Upholder faction; Chris Sahetapy, Nico
Putilehalat, Monica Balubun, and Max Maswekan of the PDI
Perjuangan faction and Max Pentury and Hendrik Seriholo of the
Builder faction.
During the conflict in Ambon, the capital of Maluku, Jakarta
sent about 9,800 military troops there, not to mention hundreds
of police personnel.
Nevertheless, the large number of security troops failed to
restore security and order in the region, partly because they
fueled the conflict by siding with a certain group.
The arrival of Laskar Jihad's hardline Muslim volunteers
complicated peace efforts. Later on, the government said that
separatist groups RMS/FKM had taken advantage of the chaos.
In response to the demand, investigation team leader I Wayan
Karya said the team was established simply to find the facts.
"Therefore it has no authority to conduct investigations into
alleged involvement of the security personnel," he said.
But he admitted he understood that the legislators raised
their demand following accusations by many that the military had
a vested interest to keep Ambon in a state of civil war.