Separatist flags raised in Ambon

AMBON, Maluku: The commemoration of the death of Maluku-born national hero Pattimura was marred by the hoisting of four South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist flags at two locations on Sunday.

Local residents found the flags at about 7 a.m. local time in Passo Village in Teluk Ambon Baguala subdistrict and in Waitatiri area, both in Central Maluku regency.

Police suspected that the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) was behind the flag raising. They arrested a suspect, Lukas Tahapary, a teacher of state elementary school SDN Waiheru, in the incident that was left unnoticed by most people in Ambon who were celebrating Pattimura Day for the first time in five years.

A number of RMS flags had been raised during the now-defunct separatist group's anniversary last month. -- JP