Vigil against alien influx in Maluku

Vigil against alien influx in Maluku

JAKARTA (JP): The military command in Maluku has appealed to
the local authorities to maintain a vigil against the influx of
Filipinos through northern Maluku.

Maj. Gen. I Ketut Wirdhana, chief of the Trikora Command, said
there had been an increase in the number of people entering
Maluku from southern Philippines which has been troubled by the
Moro separatist insurgency.

Speaking at a coordinating meeting on security in Maluku and
Irian Jaya in Ambon, Maluku, Wirdhana said the authorities must
particularly monitor the presence of these Filipinos for "they
may spread teachings and values not consistent with national
character", Antara reported yesterday.

Wirdhana said he was particularly concerned about the
likelihood of cultural clashes between the migrants and local
people.

The general also urged the Maluku authorities to make the
necessary preparations for the smooth repatriation of Moluccans
now living in the Netherlands.

The pro-Dutch Moluccans, who were promised their own separate
state by the outgoing Dutch colonial government, fled the country
immediately after Indonesia declared its independence in 1945.

The Indonesian government has kept the doors open for them to
return and be reunited with their families all this time.

Wirdhana said more and more of them, including their
offspring, have decided to be repatriated, and this meant that
the authorities must prepare housing and jobs for them. (emb)