Stop the tears in Ambon

Stop the tears in Ambon

From Rakyat Merdeka

In an interview in the morning news on RCTI on Nov. 29, 1999, head of the information center of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Maj. Gen. Sudrajat said the government had asked the TNI headquarters to intensify security measures in handling the riots in Ambon.

In response, TNI conveyed to the government the proposal of TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. that security should be handed over from the regional police chief to the military regional commander.

I fully agree with this proposal. It seems that the police in charge of security there have difficulty in taking action and therefore cannot do much to restore order and security.

Why? The unrest involves ethnic groups and communal groups who deeply hate each other and in their search for revenge they threaten the lives of common people in Ambon. The people use their own weapons for self-defense and are not afraid of the police, who are armed only with pistols, clubs and tear gas canisters.

Therefore I welcome the proposal by the regional administration for intensified security measures and the handing over of security responsibility from the police to the military. Of course, the military, despite this mandate, must be careful in implementing it tasks.

The TNI does not face enemies but its own countrymen. It must therefore act wisely and carefully to bring an amicable solution to the disputing parties.

On the other hand, the people must not force TNI soldiers to use their guns. The people should resist provocation. Peace must be restored in Ambon and clashes stopped. The land of Ambon must again give its smile to all, just like in the old days. So, stop the tears in Ambon. Let's have no more refugees fleeing the area in great fear.

FAUZI

Bekasi, West Java