Tough measures urged for RMS

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