Suspected RMS rebels arrested in Ambon
Suspected RMS rebels arrested in Ambon
Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku
The police arrested nine suspected members of the South Maluku
Republic (RMS) secessionist movement on Saturday, including its
alleged armed forces commander, just one week before the rebels
celebrate their anniversary on April 25.
The nine were identified as Jhon Rea, the alleged RMS armed
wing commander, Piter Rea, Johanis Tuhuteru, Jefri Soulisa,
Yoseph Lesnussa, Elisa Roberto Mathenahoruw, Reinhard Nanlohy,
Philipus Nurlatu, and Sandi Lalopua.
The arrests were made in a house in the Batuh Gajah Atas area
of Ambon at around 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Ambon and Lease islands police chief Adj. Sen. Comm. Teguh
Budi Prasojo told reporters on Sunday the nine were arrested
while holding a secret meeting in the house of Jhon Rea to
discuss plans to hoist the independence flag on the movement's
anniversary.
"They were arrested while holding a secret meeting. We will
continue tracking down those involved in the banned
organization," said Teguh.
Teguh said the police also confiscated documents detailing the
RMS's activities in Maluku and the Netherlands as evidence.
The nine, according to Teguh, denied any link with the Maluku
Sovereignty Front (FKM) which had openly announced its plan to
hoist the independence flag on April 25. The FKM is headed by
Alexander Manuputty, who was sentenced to three years in jail for
subversion.
Separately, a soldier opened fire on a suspected supporter of
the RMS in the Kudamati area of Ambon after he refused to be
searched during a security operation in the area.
The security authorities, including the police, have issued
warnings against the hoisting of the RMS flag on April 25. They
have pledged to get tough against anyone participating in such a
flag-hoisting.
People loyal to Dutch colonial rule declared the establishment
of the Republic of South Maluku in 1950 and staged a revolt
against the newly independent Indonesia.
The rebellion was suppressed but activists, mainly in the
Netherlands, launched a failed campaign for international
recognition.