Tension high in Ambon; Muslims pray peacefully

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Tension may linger here, but local Muslims were able to say their Friday prayers safely following a massive clash between Christians and Muslims one day earlier in which between five and 20 lives were claimed.

Rumors of a planned mass attack by Muslims, who on Thursday responded to a call by mosques for a holy war against their rivals, turned out to be groundless. Muslims left the mosques in peace while Christians stayed away.

The head of a humanitarian post of the Justice Party (PK), Hasanudin Tinggapi, said crowds from the two warring groups were still seen on Friday near the demarcation lines. He said leaders of both groups, however, were still able to restrain the crowds.

"Ambon is relatively under control today, but public transportation is still paralyzed because most drivers refuse to go pass demarcations lines. But we were able to say our Friday prayers without fear," Hasanuddin told The Jakarta Post.

Quoting data from the Muslim Al Fatah post, he said five were killed on Thursday when marines opened fire on mobs. A witness, however, said at least 10 limp bodies were seen flung onto a truck following the shooting on Thursday morning.

Another 18 Muslims were wounded in the violence. Three of the victims had their legs amputated after being severely injured by gunshots, according to Hasanuddin.

He warned that the marines, who are relatively well accepted by both warring sides for their reported neutrality, may lose their good name if their commander failed to take disciplinary action against errant members.

"Some of the marines tend to shoot people, especially Muslims, without prior warning," Hasanuddin alleged.

Hasanuddin conceded that neither side had shown strong commitment to creating peace in the province, despite their leaders signing various formal peace agreements.

Separately, Maluku Police chief Col. M. Bugis Saman said on Friday that the reinforcements of two companies of marines would arrive in Ambon on Saturday. One company comprises between 125 and 140 troops.

The colonel also indicated that Maluku's Indonesian Ulemas Council's Lt. Col. Sanusi Thamrin Elly might have been involved in the mobilization of Muslim youths from Ujungpandang to assist Muslims here in fights with their rivals. They arrived here late last month.

"The military police will investigate the case because he is an active police officer," Bugis said.

A group of 15 lawyers affiliated with the local church recently filed a police report complaining about what they believed was Elly's mobilization of Muslim newcomers to help attack local Christians.

Bugis declined to confirm the number of fatalities on Thursday. Fred Ohoiulun, a Suara Maluku reporter, said at least 20 people were killed.

"At least 10 Muslims were shot to death in Batu Gantung village alone," said Fred.

Fred said the situation was relatively calm on Friday. According to him, the threat of Maluku Military Commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela and Col. Bugis to immediately shoot anyone who defied military warnings was quite effective in avoiding fresh violence.

"Sixty percent of the streets in Ambon are controlled by the Red group (Christians) while the White group (Muslims) controls the rest," said Fred.

Meanwhile, at least 1,300 people have registered with the Maranatha Church post in Ambon over the last few days following the revelation of the existence of a letter from the Australian Council of Churches to Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

The church leaders urged Howard to grant asylum to Christians in Maluku whose lives were endangered. According to Filio Noya, Maranatha Church lawyer, some of the people have already packed their luggage as they believe Australia would send warships to rescue them.

"They are traumatized with rampant killings and looting, they no longer feel safe in their own country," said Filio. (48/prb)