'TNI exercises won't ease tension in Maluku'
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Ambon and Jakarta based non-governmental organizations representing groups in restive Maluku, opposed the Indonesian Military's plan to stage war games in the area for fear of creating wider conflict.
The lack of coordination between security personnel and the governor, as well as the frequent clashes between police and the military, has resulted in widespread distrust among the people.
In addition, the police and military's involvement in the conflict, by taking sides with the warring factions, has left security personnel partial, giving the impression that they are not there to protect the public.
"I don't think a greater military presence in the province will help achieve or restore the situation, especially if they are merely there to change the conflict area to a training field," Sven Loupatty, chief of Hualopu Maluku Foundation told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the seminar called Resolution and Reconstruction of the Social Conflict in Ambon on Wednesday.
The conflict in the area has become even more complicated than when the conflict first erupted in 1999, he said, thus those who are without sincere intentions to help the people and solve the conflict should not enter Ambon because their presence there would worsen the conflict.
The Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Commander, Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu who was in Ambon, disclosed to the media on Tuesday the military would hold joint exercises that would involve combat troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force in efforts to help restore security and order.
Ryamizard also warned security personnel about maintaining their neutrality and loyalty to their institution and the state in carrying out their mission in the conflict area. He suggested that soldiers loyal to their home of origin and religion leave the military service.
Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono, dean of the school of psychology of the University of Indonesia, who has run a crisis center in the area, said that an alternative solution to conflict was to find the provocateurs behind the prolonged conflict.
He also suggested the central government and the provincial administration should enhance coordination in enforcing the law.
Ichsan Malik, a member of the team promoting peace among the conflicting groups in the province, suggested the military conduct their training elsewhere and the government start reducing the military presence since their presence is considered unhelpful.
"In Ambon, the TNI and the police are part of the problem. It would be better if their number were reduced to a minimum if the government were to send people who are more committed to bringing peace to the area,"
Ichsan also called on the military to begin recognizing the civilian government and start collaborating to resolve the prolonged conflict that has claimed more than 6,000 lives and displaced more than 750,000 people to other provinces.
Most participants of the seminar were of the same opinion, that the central government was unable to end the conflict despite the Malino II peace agreement, which has proved ineffective.
One of the clauses in the agreement is to anticipate and take stern measures on separatist movements such as the South Maluku Republic (RMS) who caused havoc when RMS celebrated its anniversary on April 25.
"The government are quite aware of this event, yet nothing was done beforehand," said Abdul Gani Fabanyo from the Maluku People Empowerment Agency.
The Maluku Women's Coalition said that as the government and its security apparatus had failed to create peace, more and more people have placed their hope in patron organizations such as Laskar Jihad and RMS to provide them with protection.
Yet, many believe the conflict in the area is not sectarian because people from both religious communities had been living in harmony over the last two years.
They suspected there are certain people or sides, outside of the area, who were trying to prolong the conflict.