Separatist moved to Surabaya
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
The secretary-general of the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM), Moses Tuanakotta, has been transferred from his Ambon penitentiary to Surabaya prison, an official said.
Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Adityawarman said on Friday that the move was taken to prevent him from encouraging the front's supporters to mark the upcoming anniversary of the self- proclaimed South Maluku Republic (RMS) on April 25.
Moreover, Moses' activities in the prison had created problems in the penitentiary where he is serving a 12-year prison term for subversion.
Moses was found guilty of violating articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code for leading a RMS flag-raising ceremony on April 25, 2004 in front of the residence of FKM leader Dr. Alex Manuputty in Ambon, attended by at least 200 supporters and sympathizers.
"In order to prevent unwanted chaos in Maluku, especially on April 25, he has been transferred to other prison," Adityawarman said.
He added that even when he was inside the prison, Moses still conducted his activities, spreading his writings to the front's supporters outside.
"He's running many activities inside the prison, just like he did when he was outside. The prison term was supposed to restrict his activities. So, to prevent unwanted incidents, upon the request of Ambon penitentiary, we transferred him to Surabaya prison," he said.
The transfer, he said, would cut all of Moses' activities, as well as prevent him from sending orders to the front's supporters.
Head of Ambon penitentiary, Ma'aruf, confirmed that Moses had been transferred to Surabaya prison on Thursday.
Out of the penitentiary's 64 inmates, 48 of them are serving time for subversion.
"Inside the prison, the inmates serving time for subversion are separated from other inmates because we fear their minds will be contaminated by them," he said.
Meanwhile, Maluku Police also planned to impose a curfew for Ambon city residents in anticipation of the upcoming RMS anniversary.
Adityawarman said he had discussed the idea with the Maluku governor, chief of military command and provincial council speaker. "Technically speaking, we haven't imposed the curfew yet," Adityawarman said.
He expected people to cooperate by securing their own neighborhoods, without forming groups or fronts.
"The formation of groups or fronts will only cause problems because they will block roads or set up security posts. We are afraid this kind of thing will make the situation worse," he said.
Chief of Pattimura Military Command, Maj. Gen. Syarifudin Summah, said that his office as well as the police had identified conflict-prone areas, such as Batumerah, Trikora and Talake areas. "In this situation, we will only back up the police," he said.