RMS supporters warned of subversion

RMS supporters warned of subversion

Azis Tunny
The Jakarta Post
Ambon, Maluku

Maluku authorities renewed their warning against the South Maluku
Republic (RMS) separatist movement, saying strong measures would
be taken against those supporting for RMS and its affiliate, the
Maluku Sovereignty Forum (FKM), in observance of the separatist
movement's 54th anniversary on April 24.

"We will take immediate harsh action against any organizations
or individuals providing political and financial support to
either RMS and FKM, if the current persuasive approach is found
to be ineffective," said Maj. Gen. Agustadi, commander of the
operation to restore security and order in the province, on
Wednesday.

Agustadi was responding to the incident on Tuesday, when an
RMS flag was raised in front of an elementary school in Kudamati,
a stronghold of the RMS, in the Maluku province's capital of
Ambon, despite a recent ban by acting governor Herman Sinyo
Sarundayang.

He said the police would investigate the incident, after a man
was arrested and questioned in connection to the case.

"So far, no group or individual has claimed responsibility for
raising the flag; so the police will continue to investigate," he
said.

Agustadi, who is also chief of the Pattimura Military Command
overseeing security in Maluku and North Maluku, said that
security authorities had disseminated circulars in RMS
strongholds in the province via helicopter, calling on the people
not to celebrate the secessionist movement's anniversary because
it was against the law.

"Those breaching the rule will face subversion charges," he
added, and said that a team of security personnel had already
been deployed to increase security in RMS strongholds, in
anticipation of a possible anniversary celebration.

Last year, dozens of FKM supporters, including FKM chairman
Alex Manuputty, were arrested for raising the RMS flag in
celebrating the movement's 53rd anniversary.

The South Jakarta District Court sentenced Manuputty to three
years imprisonment for subversion; Manuputty is filing an appeal
with the Jakarta High Court.

The revival of the RMS over the last three years has been an
obstacle to the restoration of security and order and the
implementation of the Malino peace agreement, which was drawn up
to end the sectarian conflict that broke out on Jan. 19, 1999.
More than 6,000 people have been killed and around 750,000 others
have been displaced during the conflict.

The extreme group Laskar Jihad has defended the presence of
its militiamen in the province to repel the separatist movement,
which is reported to have won the support of the Christian
faction in Maluku.

So far, the civilian state of emergency imposed in July 2001
has yet to be lifted because of the sporadic violence in the
province. The central government has also delayed the
gubernatorial election in Maluku for the same reason.

The next two years will be a crucial period for the province,
particularly in regards its planned gubernatorial election and
the 2004 Indonesian general elections.