Rebuilding of Maluku governor's office begins

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Maluku administration celebrated Independence Day on Saturday with a ceremony to mark the beginning of reconstruction work on the governor's building, which was set ablaze amid renewed violence on April 3.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina (photo above) led the ground-breaking ceremony in the capital city, Ambon, which was attended by Pattimura Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djoko Santoso and Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko D.A.

Also witnessing the rain-swept event were Maluku legislative council speaker Etty Sahuburua and hundreds of local civil servants.

Latuconsina signed a plaque during the ceremony to mark the start of the rebuilding, Antara reported.

The governor's office was set ablaze by a mob of unidentified people shortly after at least four people were killed and dozens others wounded in a bomb blast on April 3.

The mob burned the building after Christians stoned the office to protest the bombing.

Witnesses said the bomb was thrown into a crowd of people outside Nelayan Karaoke Bar, located in front of Amboina Hotel, 700 meters from the governor's office.

Latuconsina, also serving as chief of the Maluku civilian emergency authority, called on local people to support the rebuilding in help speed up the development project.

Head of Maluku's public works office Pieter Mustamu was quoted as saying the reconstruction of the 10,659-square meter office would cost Rp 40 billion (US$4.4 million).

The rebuilding would be completed in two fiscal years, he added.