Tension high in Ambon; Muslims pray peacefully

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)