Semblance of calm slowly returns to ravaged Ambon
Semblance of calm slowly returns to ravaged Ambon
AMBON, Maluku (JP): An uneasy calm returned here on Wednesday
as a state of civil emergency entered its second day, but sniper
attacks were still reported in several parts of the riot-ravaged
town.
Yacob Tamaela, 24, a resident of the Batu Gajah area, died
when he was shot in the head at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday by an
alleged sniper in the Petak Sepuluh area, about 800 meters from
his house. His body was taken to the private Bakti Rahayu
Hospital.
Three people also suffered from gunshot wounds in separate
incidents in the disputed Kuda Mati and Urimesing areas and were
rushed to Dr. Haulussy General Hospital.
Sounds of gunfire and explosions were still heard in
Diponegoro, Petak Sepuluh and Mardika in Ambon.
The violence has so far left at least 67 people dead over
seven consecutive days of fighting since June 21 and hundreds of
others injured.
President Abdurrahman Wahid declared the civil emergency
status in Maluku and North Maluku on Monday in a bid to put an
end to 18 months of sectarian clashes, which have so far claimed
more than 3,000 lives.
Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina stepped up his measures in
handling the riots under the civil emergency status by ordering
the security forces to conduct rigid sweeping operations against
visitors heading for and on the islands.
"The policy is meant to tightly monitor and filter the
visitors on the islands, especially those who try to instigate
unrest and riots. Firm measures will be taken, including their
removal from the islands," Latuconsina said at his official
residence in Mangga Dua on Wednesday.
The governor, however, did not give details on how to expel
the outsiders.
On the issue of the isolation of Maluku, the governor said
that it would depend on how the emergency status worked.
"If there is a need to isolate the islands, we will start with
Ambon island," he said.
Banks
Latuconsina could not hide his disappointment over the closure
of Bank Indonesia (BI) and several state and private banks in
Ambon, which has paralyzed economic activities here.
"Those bank officials never consulted with me on the matter. I
was told on Monday that BI would transfer Rp 50 billion of
operational banking funds to BNI 1946 so Ambon would not be
paralyzed. It turned out that no funds were available and people
are left here suffering," Latuconsina said.
He said the banks' management should be held responsible for
their action.
"The unrest in Ambon was not only triggered by sectarian
conflicts, but also by the poor economic condition," he asserted.
BNI 1946 and BCA resumed operations here on Wednesday, but the
officials said they would only do so "if the cash is still
available".
Earlier in the day, about 10 a.m. local time, gunmen on
speedboats sprayed bullets at passengers who were about to board
the KM Dobonsolo in the waters off Benteng, near Waehaong.
"The shooters came from Tanah Lapang Kecil shore and Yos
Sudarso Port in Waehaong," said a witness who asked for
anonymity.
Large ships cannot dock in Benteng port as it is a fishing
port. Passengers have to get to ships by speedboat.
Upon the sudden attack, the passengers dispersed in fear.
The number of casualties, however, was not immediately
available.
The new Pattimura Military chief, Col. I Made Yasa, has
reportedly moved his office to the headquarters of the 733rd
Airborne Battalion Masariku on Jl. Slamet Riyadi.
Most telephone lines, including cellular transmissions are
still disconnected.
The civil emergency status has received little support, if not
resistance, in North Maluku, rector of Ternate-based Khairun
University Rivai Umar said on Wednesday. Rivai told Antara the
policy reflected the government's inability to cope with the
conflict in the two provinces.
"I am afraid it (the state of civil emergency) will worsen the
situation because people feel they are isolated," he said.
(49/edt)