Security hiked in Maluku ahead of Megawati's visit

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Security forces here began on Monday making final preparations to safeguard the visit of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri to the strife-torn provinces of Maluku and North Maluku.

Security was tight especially after violence a day earlier in Masohi, Seram island, which claimed at least four lives.

"I've ordered a sweep of the area of Binaya market in Masohi where the Sunday bomb blast was located. I also ordered stern measures, and not to give any tolerance to rioters," Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela said.

"Firm action will be taken as we do not want to give the slightest chance for any recurrence of incidents."

He said the Masohi incident was triggered by locals who found a body of a fellow Muslim in Kampung Pahlawan area of Masohi.

"The Muslim group then held a protest in the military district command and the regency office later in the day about the murder. They failed to meet with the military chief or the regent ... then they got upset," Tamaela said.

"Just when things became tense there was a third party who provoked the crowds and they turned brutal."

A thorough investigation in under way, he said.

Security was tightened in Masohi on Monday as a company from a joint police and military force disembarked from KRI Acak.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Dewa Astika and regional Navy chief Commmodore Franky Kaihattu inspected Masohi by helicopter on Monday.

Tamaela said his office was investigating the possibility of political motives behind the unrest because it occurred shortly before Megawati's scheduled visit.

A few days before Megawati's visit to Maluku in February, a riot broke out in Haruku island in North Maluku which left at least 25 people dead.

Megawati, accompanied by Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Admiral Widodo A.S. and several Cabinet ministers, is slated to arrive at Pattimura Airport at noon on Tuesday.

She is also set to visit Halong Naval Base, about five kilometers north of Ambon, where she will oversee the start of the Surya Bhaskara Jaya operation aimed at rehabilitating and restoring peace in strife-torn Maluku and North Maluku.

The Rp 6.5 billion project, which will include 11 Navy ships, is reportedly the biggest social and security operation ever undertaken in the country.

Australia, India and Singapore are participating donor countries in the operation which will provide food, medical aid and construction materials for the needy.

Later in the afternoon, the entourage will board KRI Arun and sail for Masohi, about eight hours away.

Megawati is slated to stay overnight on the battleship before meeting with locals in Masohi and overseeing humanitarian activities on Wednesday. She will later leave for Morotai Air Force Base in North Maluku.

She will visit refugees at the base and later go to riot-torn Galela and Tobelo districts.

The entourage is to head back to Jakarta from the base on Wednesday afternoon. (49/edt)