Separatist moved to Surabaya
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.