TNI to withdraw outside troops from Maluku as security improves
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"The non-organic troops will be entirely withdrawn next year.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.