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.