Separatist flags raised in Ambon

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