Susilo leads visit to Maluku

AMBON, Maluku: Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Tuesday the government had proposed a three-step program which would include law enforcement, rehabilitation and reconciliation to end the sectarian conflict in Maluku and North Maluku.

Speaking after attending a 90 minute meeting with local civil emergency leaders, Susilo said Jakarta would send judges, prosecutors and security reinforcements to uphold the law.

To rehabilitate the area, Susilo pledged the government would help support projects to rebuild health, education and public facilities.

On reconciliation, he said, efforts would be focused on reestablishing social interaction between the warring communities in an effort to rebuild social harmony and brotherhood.

"The government will also focus on providing better care for refugees, including building better shelters and education and health facilities," he said after heading the visit by a ministerial delegation, which included Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D., Minister of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Erna Witoelar, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Alhilal Hamdi, Indonesian Military Commander Adm. Widodo AS and Junior Minister of the Acceleration of Development in Eastern Indonesia Manuel Kaisiepo. (49/lup)