TNI to withdraw outside troops from Maluku as security improves

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As security situation has gradually improved, the government is planning to withdraw some 3,000 non-organic troops from conflict- torn Maluku next year, but maintain other 1,650 of non-organic mobile police there to maintain security.

With the withdrawal of the troops, the Indonesian military (TNI) expects the government to approve its proposal to enlarge the capacity and facility for the provincial organic troops, said the Pattimura Military Commander, Major Gen. Syarifuddin Suma.

"The non-organic troops will be entirely withdrawn next year. However, in order to anticipate future security problem we have proposed to enlarge the number of organic troops there as well as their facilities," said Syarifuddin on Tuesday.

In contrary to the organic troops, the non-organic are troops taken from other areas nationwide and stationed in Maluku for certain periods of time. At present, there are about 4,000 organic troops in Maluku, comprising of three infantry battalions and one cavalry.

Syarifuddin conveyed the proposal during a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, which was also attended by Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu, provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Aditya Warman, and local lawmaker spokesman Richard Lauhenapessy.

The meeting mostly discuss about security progress in Maluku after the government revoke the civil emergency status for the province in 2003 following a bloody sectarian violence which occurred since 1999.

The violence, which continued on and off until 2002, left thousands of Muslims and Christians dead, and forced hundreds of thousands of others to flee their homes. The violence largely subsided in 2002 after a government-sponsored peace agreement, but bombings and attacks continue to take place.

During the meeting, the National Police also proposed to Vice President Kalla to maintain 1,650 non-organic mobile police in the province since most of the organic police are deemed "not neutral" in trying to any religious conflict there.

"In general, the security situation in Maluku is conducive enough, but it remains fragile in the long run, especially when the TNI is planning to reduce their troops there amid several potential conflicts there," said Aditya.

Aditya said that aside from secretariat conflicts, which mostly centered in Maluku's capital of Ambon, there were other potential disruptions coming from separatist group the South Maluku Republic (RMS).

"There are 63 spots for potential conflicts which are needed to be closely monitored. That is why we still need resources to secure the areas as well as anticipating future disruptions from either religious conflict or separatism movement," he said.

The police have also requested the government to add several new police precincts in the province to effectively maintain security and order.

Meanwhile, Maluku Governor Karel said he had requested the central government to immediately disburse reconstruction funds as pledged in 2003, which had not yet received by the local administration.

Karel said the province would need about Rp 4 trillion (US$412 million) over the next five years for reconstruction works, in which about Rp 1.2 trillion should have been disbursed last year and about Rp 500 billion this year.

"We have not yet received any funds for rebuilding Maluku after the conflict since 2003 when they issued a Presidential Instruction No. 6/2003 on reconstruction efforts in the province," he said.