Tough measures urged for RMS

JAKARTA: Former intelligence chief ZA Maulani said on Sunday the government had to react aggressively against those attempting to secede from the unitary Republic of Indonesia.

He added that proper law enforcement was vital to prevent chaos, particularly in Maluku.

"We (government security forces) are allowed to use stern measures to crack down on Acehnese separatists, why don't we do the same in Maluku?" Maulani asked, referring to the growing separatist movement in Maluku.

He also claimed that the separatist South Maluku Republic (RMS) had "links" to churches in the United States, and other support from private citizens in Australia and the Netherlands.

Maulani suggested that the government should make it clear to the international community that any stern measures taken against the separatist group in Maluku was an effort to insure national integrity. - Antara