Tension prevails in Mamasa over split

Tension prevails in Mamasa over split

Andi Hajramurni, Makassar

Three mostly Muslim districts in predominantly Christian Mamasa
regency, South Sulawesi, were reported to still be tense on
Tuesday, despite the lifting of roadblocks that had been in place
for more than a week and which had been erected by groups either
in favor of or opposed to the creation of Mamasa regency in 2002.

Some 300 residents stood guard on the border between Mamasa
and Polewali Mamasa (Polmas) regencies as rumors spread that they
would be attacked by the pro-Polmas group.

One of the roadblocks set up by the disgruntled Muslim
residents, who rejected the incorporation of their districts into
Mamasa regency, was in the hamlet of Pokko in Polmas, which is on
the border with Mambi district in Mamasa.

Carrying machetes, bows and arrows, and other offensive
weapons, they checked the identities of all travelers passing
through the roadblock and searched them for weapons.

Similarly, those supporting Mamasa regency established a
roadblock in Bambang Buda village near Mambi.

As a result, some 118,000 residents in the districts of
Aralle, Tabulahan and Mambi were cut off from the outside world.

The roadblocks were in place for 10 days, disrupting the
Trans-Sulawesi highway.

However, members of the two disputing camps lifted the
roadblocks at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the order of the Mamasa
and Polmas administrations, as well as the South Sulawesi
government.

The orders were issued following a meeting earlier in the day
in the provincial capital of Makassar, which was attended by
South Sulawesi Governor Amin Syam, legislative council speaker
Eddy Baramuli, Wirabuana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Suprapto,
and police chief Insp. Gen. Saleh Saaf.

Also at the meeting were Polmas Regent Ali Baal and Mamasa
Regent Said Saggaf, as well as district chiefs and council
leaders from the two regencies.

During the two-hour meeting, the participants agreed to reopen
all the roads that had been blocked. The Polmas and Mamasa
administrations were asked to play "proactive roles" in
controlling all community elements within their respective
jurisdictions.

The meeting also ordered the police to take action against
those involved in acts of incitement.

Meanwhile, the Polmas regent said he had agreed with his
Mamasa counterpart to hand over administrative control of the
three districts to the provincial government in an effort to
lessen the conflict.

This proposal would soon be submitted to the provincial
government, Ali Baal added.

The conflict in the three districts started two years ago
following the carving out of Mamasa regency from the territory of
Polmas regency.

Based on a proposal by the South Sulawesi administration, the
three districts were not included in Mamasa. But the Ministry of
Home Affairs insisted on including them in the newly-created
regency.

Last year, the conflict between the disputing groups worsened,
killing at least three people and forcing thousands of others to
flee their homes. Dozens of houses were also set ablaze.