Yasa defends military impartiality in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Chief of Pattimura Military Command Brig. Gen. I Mada Yasa defended the military's impartiality in the prolonged sectarian clashes in Maluku and blamed radical groups for inducing troops to take sides.

"Radical groups who do not want to see peace in Maluku provoked the military to attack their opponents," Made Yasa said on Friday. He did not name the groups.

Made Yasa told Antara that he assumed the (groups') provocation was related to the latest rumors that fresh bloodshed would occur in Maluku during the upcoming Ramadhan fasting month, Idul Fitri and Christmas.

He asked people not to be quick in blaming the military for mounting violence in Maluku.

"I call on all people to be aware of possible provocation and to remain calm and alert," he said.

Yasa said the unstable situation in Ambon, following a series of shootings at Ambon Bay, had prompted him to request two companies of marines to help secure the area.

"I have been informed that the marines are on the way to Ambon. They left Jakarta on Thursday and are expected to arrive in Ambon soon," he said.

The marines will be on alert 24 hours a day at the bay.

Meanwhile, killings continued in Ambon on Friday, with two people, one a woman, shot dead in a public transportation vehicle in Batu Gantung.

Locals assumed the snipers were roaming the area near the police dormitory. (sur)