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)