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MASOHI, CENTRAL MALUKU

Ambon, 5 January 2000

Until 12.00 WIT today, Masohi is still gripped by fear. This morning PANGDAM (The regional army chief of Maluku province) and the Maluku Governor Dr. Ir. M. Saleh Latuconsina visited Masohi with yet unclear mission. The Governor went to Muslim residential and refugee areas while Pangdam Max Tamaela visited the Christian regions. Man Kabakoran, a coordinator of Muslim Centre for Refugee Crises in Nurul Iman Mosque explained that Mr. Tamaela did not pay a visit to the Muslims. He continued that the Governor also came to calm down the victimized Muslims as well as to discuss solutions that could bring peace. And this is, he added, not accepted whatsoever by Muslim youths and mujahideen in Masohi.

Information gathered:

Refugees in Nurul Iman Mosque, Afui, where the Centre located, have reached 3000 people. The food stock for the refugees and mujahideens is depleting. The only supplier remaining is Keadilan Post. Fourteen people have lost their lives in Masohi since 31 December 1999. In the night of 30 December 1999, Liang-Liang Awaia PTP residential area was attacked by a Christian mob. This resulted in tens of Muslims killed, 27 of them were buried by Muslims in Masohi. In the attack, according to Kabakoran, the women were also raped. 17 of them had their bodies disfigured, having no head or the genitals mutilated. It was confirmed on 6 January 2000 that the raped victims were still in their teens. Some of the beheaded women had their separated heads put beside their waists. Amongst the dead were children with such appalling conditions e.g. without head, that they could not be recognized. There are 15 bodies, said Kabokaran, that cannot be picked up for burial. The dangerous situation in the Christian-controlled areas prevents Muslims from collecting them. The victims in Rumah Lait are mostly from South East Maluku. At the seventh kilometre from Waipia, seven Muslims were massacred when they retreated to the mosque in defensive position. At twelfth kilometre in Bandabaru and Bandalama, Muslims are also in defensive position whereas Christians have already occupied regions at first until twelfth kilometres. Muslims from seventh and twelfth kilometres, mostly women and children, were forced to flee across mountainous areas to seek refuge in Rutah and Mahai districts. Some of the refugees carried only those stuffs that they could lift.

The unfair treatment by Christian security apparatus towards Muslims was observed in Masohi. When the attack on Muslims were being carried out, security soldiers from KODIM 1502 (Regional Army Unit 1502) and POLRES (Resort Police) were all disarmed, except the Christian soldiers who later on took part in victimizing Muslims.

In Central Maluku, Kadit Intel (an intelligent officer) of Central Maluku, Lieutenant Alex Low and his subordinates participated in wiping out Muslims in Masohi. Kabokaran accounted that Lieutenant Alex Low entered into a Muslim’s house and wounded the Muslim inside. Fortunately the Muslim was not dead and managed to run away. He explained that the victims in the city of Masohi were due to the brutalities perpetrated by police troops who were Lieutenant Alex Low’s subordinates.

Investigation Team

Keadilan Peduli Ummat Post, Ambon

TOBELO

Tobelo carnage has claimed 2000 lives of Muslims. The most brutal massacre was reported to have occurred in Translek Togoliyuwa and Samsungi villages, both outside Tobelo town, where some 600 people were killed. The village was burnt down, while the inhabitants were massacred. The dead bodies were then thrown into the river. Those who managed to escape have to cross the forest in order to reach Salola or Soasio. The fate of these people was still unknown. Most of the Muslims living in the capital city of Tobelo district could not save themselves from the killing. Those running into the mosques for safety were chased and executed inside the mosques. The number of the people massacred in the city was estimated to be over 1600, most of which were elderly, women and children. In the streets, Muslim women were raped.

Information received from Posko Badan Koordinasi Umat Islam (Agency for Muslim Coordination Office), North Maluku said that Muslims hiding in the house of DANRAMIL (Regional Army Chief of Tobelo District) Mr. Captain I Made Parsia were also massacred.

Seven mosques inside Tobelo city were burnt down together with the Muslims refugee inside. Islamic Religious Affair Office, Islamic Court Office, Al-Khoirat Institution for Islamic Learning, Government Islamic Primary School of Sorua and Islamic Education Institutions in Tobelo were completely destroyed by the fire.

Those who were safe had to go across the forest before they reached Soa-Sio, or rescued by kompi 732 war ship, company ships and KH Iambelu ship. Thus, at present Muslims have virtually been wiped out from Tobelo. The attackers were made up of Christians from Kao (9000 people) and from Tobelo (over 7000 people)

GALELA

After finishing off Muslims in Tobelo, the Christians turn their barbarity towards Muslims in Galela. Muslims in eight villages, including their mosques, were eliminated. The villages which were completely destroyed were Dokolamo, Gotalamo, Ngidiho, Soatu Baru Islam, Ori Bali Islam, Namunya, Seki and Igo Bula. Other villages whose names were unidentified were also targeted. The massacres have claimed more than 400 lives, including the Imam of Dokolamo mosque Haji Jailan Toboku. The executed Imam was buried by the Muslim community. But later on the Christians dug the cemetery to take out the Imam’s body and put it on the cross standing in the centre of the village. (Until now the body was still in this position).

CHRONOLOGY OF TOBELO TRAGEDY

26 December 1999

At 18.00 WIT, a group of Christian youths, having made themselves drunk deliberately, were cursing and intimidating Muslims. Not responded by the Muslims, they continued their provocation by throwing things on Muslims’ houses. The youths were then pacified by security soldiers.

At 24.00 WIT Saudara Mailimu, a retired policeman, was looking for and cursing Muslims. The incident caused a tension to arise between Muslims and Christians. All of sudden, a Christian mob threw hand-made bombs into Muslims area, destroying their houses.

27 December 1999

At 05.00 WIT 7000 Christians from Tobelo and 9000 of them from Kao carried out an attack and massacred the Muslims in Tobelo using real bombs and M16 guns fitted with noise-reduction devices.

Muslims were massacred, not sparing even those hiding in the mosque. They were asked to come out just to meet their ends. Around six hundreds people were killed without any resistance from the victims, most of whom were women and children. Women were also reported to be raped. In this barbaric action, the security apparatus from Koramil (Regional Army Unit) and POLSEK (Sector Police Unit) Tobelo played a role in shooting the Muslims. The Koramil headquarter was the silent witness against the massacre of Muslims taking shelter inside the building, while Captain I Made Parsia did nothing to stop the killing.

Currently, thousands of Muslim who are running away to the forests are being chased to be killed. At the same time, over thousands of Muslims suffering from minor and major injuries are in dire needs of medicines.

Islamic establishments which were burnt down:

An Office for Islamic Religious Affair (KUA) in Tobelo
An Office of Islamic Court in Tobelo
Seven mosques
All Islamic education institutions.

Islamic establishments which were completely destroyed:

Eight mosques, named after the village where the mosque is situated
Government Primary Islamic School of Dokolamo
Government Secondary Islamic School of Dokolamo
Government Secondary Islamic School of Seki

Furthermore, over 20000 refugees have been evacuated to Ternate and accommodated in BTN complex, school buildings, warehouses, halls and restaurants.

Since 4 January 2000 until now, there have been attacks by Christians against Muslims in Kailolo, Jailolo and Ibu districts.

The Christians have exterminated Muslims in Tobelo and Galela, and have turned their targets to Muslims in Jailolo and Ibu. Their fates are not known yet.

Secretary of Assembly of Indonesian Ulama (MUI), Maluku Branch

Drs. Adjid Bin Tahir

The information was provided by Posko Badan Koordinasi Solidaritas Ummat Islam (Centre for Coordination of Muslim Solidarity), MUI, North Maluku Branch in Ternate.


MASOHI, CENTRAL MALUKU Ambon, 5 January 2000 Until 12.00 WIT today, Masohi is still gripped by fear. This morning PANGDAM (The regional army chief of Maluku province) and the Maluku Governor Dr. Ir. M. Saleh Latuconsina visited Masohi with yet unclear mission. The Governor went to Muslim residential and refugee areas while Pangdam Max Tamaela visited the Christian regions. Man Kabakoran, a coordinator of Muslim Centre for Refugee Crises in Nurul Iman Mosque explained that Mr. Tamaela did not pay a visit to the Muslims. He continued that the Governor also came to calm down the victimized Muslims as well as to discuss solutions that could bring peace. And this is, he added, not accepted whatsoever by Muslim youths and mujahideen in Masohi. Information gathered: Refugees in Nurul Iman Mosque, Afui, where the Centre located, have reached 3000 people. The food stock for the refugees and mujahideens is depleting. The only supplier remaining is Keadilan Post. Fourteen people have lost their lives in Masohi since 31 December 1999. In the night of 30 December 1999, Liang-Liang Awaia PTP residential area was attacked by a Christian mob. This resulted in tens of Muslims killed, 27 of them were buried by Muslims in Masohi. In the attack, according to Kabakoran, the women were also raped. 17 of them had their bodies disfigured, having no head or the genitals mutilated. It was confirmed on 6 January 2000 that the raped victims were still in their teens. Some of the beheaded women had their separated heads put beside their waists. Amongst the dead were children with such appalling conditions e.g. without head, that they could not be recognized. There are 15 bodies, said Kabokaran, that cannot be picked up for burial. The dangerous situation in the Christian-controlled areas prevents Muslims from collecting them. The victims in Rumah Lait are mostly from South East Maluku. At the seventh kilometre from Waipia, seven Muslims were massacred when they retreated to the mosque in defensive position. At twelfth kilometre in Bandabaru and Bandalama, Muslims are also in defensive position whereas Christians have already occupied regions at first until twelfth kilometres. Muslims from seventh and twelfth kilometres, mostly women and children, were forced to flee across mountainous areas to seek refuge in Rutah and Mahai districts. Some of the refugees carried only those stuffs that they could lift. The unfair treatment by Christian security apparatus towards Muslims was observed in Masohi. When the attack on Muslims were being carried out, security soldiers from KODIM 1502 (Regional Army Unit 1502) and POLRES (Resort Police) were all disarmed, except the Christian soldiers who later on took part in victimizing Muslims. In Central Maluku, Kadit Intel (an intelligent officer) of Central Maluku, Lieutenant Alex Low and his subordinates participated in wiping out Muslims in Masohi. Kabokaran accounted that Lieutenant Alex Low entered into a Muslim’s house and wounded the Muslim inside. Fortunately the Muslim was not dead and managed to run away. He explained that the victims in the city of Masohi were due to the brutalities perpetrated by police troops who were Lieutenant Alex Low’s subordinates. Investigation Team Keadilan Peduli Ummat Post, Ambon TOBELO Tobelo carnage has claimed 2000 lives of Muslims. The most brutal massacre was reported to have occurred in Translek Togoliyuwa and Samsungi villages, both outside Tobelo town, where some 600 people were killed. The village was burnt down, while the inhabitants were massacred. The dead bodies were then thrown into the river. Those who managed to escape have to cross the forest in order to reach Salola or Soasio. The fate of these people was still unknown. Most of the Muslims living in the capital city of Tobelo district could not save themselves from the killing. Those running into the mosques for safety were chased and executed inside the mosques. The number of the people massacred in the city was estimated to be over 1600, most of which were elderly, women and children. In the streets, Muslim women were raped. Information received from Posko Badan Koordinasi Umat Islam (Agency for Muslim Coordination Office), North Maluku said that Muslims hiding in the house of DANRAMIL (Regional Army Chief of Tobelo District) Mr. Captain I Made Parsia were also massacred. Seven mosques inside Tobelo city were burnt down together with the Muslims refugee inside. Islamic Religious Affair Office, Islamic Court Office, Al-Khoirat Institution for Islamic Learning, Government Islamic Primary School of Sorua and Islamic Education Institutions in Tobelo were completely destroyed by the fire. Those who were safe had to go across the forest before they reached Soa-Sio, or rescued by kompi 732 war ship, company ships and KH Iambelu ship. Thus, at present Muslims have virtually been wiped out from Tobelo. The attackers were made up of Christians from Kao (9000 people) and from Tobelo (over 7000 people) GALELA After finishing off Muslims in Tobelo, the Christians turn their barbarity towards Muslims in Galela. Muslims in eight villages, including their mosques, were eliminated. The villages which were completely destroyed were Dokolamo, Gotalamo, Ngidiho, Soatu Baru Islam, Ori Bali Islam, Namunya, Seki and Igo Bula. Other villages whose names were unidentified were also targeted. The massacres have claimed more than 400 lives, including the Imam of Dokolamo mosque Haji Jailan Toboku. The executed Imam was buried by the Muslim community. But later on the Christians dug the cemetery to take out the Imam’s body and put it on the cross standing in the centre of the village. (Until now the body was still in this position). CHRONOLOGY OF TOBELO TRAGEDY 26 December 1999 At 18.00 WIT, a group of Christian youths, having made themselves drunk deliberately, were cursing and intimidating Muslims. Not responded by the Muslims, they continued their provocation by throwing things on Muslims’ houses. The youths were then pacified by security soldiers. At 24.00 WIT Saudara Mailimu, a retired policeman, was looking for and cursing Muslims. The incident caused a tension to arise between Muslims and Christians. All of sudden, a Christian mob threw hand-made bombs into Muslims area, destroying their houses. 27 December 1999 At 05.00 WIT 7000 Christians from Tobelo and 9000 of them from Kao carried out an attack and massacred the Muslims in Tobelo using real bombs and M16 guns fitted with noise-reduction devices. Muslims were massacred, not sparing even those hiding in the mosque. They were asked to come out just to meet their ends. Around six hundreds people were killed without any resistance from the victims, most of whom were women and children. Women were also reported to be raped. In this barbaric action, the security apparatus from Koramil (Regional Army Unit) and POLSEK (Sector Police Unit) Tobelo played a role in shooting the Muslims. The Koramil headquarter was the silent witness against the massacre of Muslims taking shelter inside the building, while Captain I Made Parsia did nothing to stop the killing. Currently, thousands of Muslim who are running away to the forests are being chased to be killed. At the same time, over thousands of Muslims suffering from minor and major injuries are in dire needs of medicines. Islamic establishments which were burnt down: An Office for Islamic Religious Affair (KUA) in Tobelo An Office of Islamic Court in Tobelo Seven mosques All Islamic education institutions. Islamic establishments which were completely destroyed: Eight mosques, named after the village where the mosque is situated Government Primary Islamic School of Dokolamo Government Secondary Islamic School of Dokolamo Government Secondary Islamic School of Seki Furthermore, over 20000 refugees have been evacuated to Ternate and accommodated in BTN complex, school buildings, warehouses, halls and restaurants. Since 4 January 2000 until now, there have been attacks by Christians against Muslims in Kailolo, Jailolo and Ibu districts. The Christians have exterminated Muslims in Tobelo and Galela, and have turned their targets to Muslims in Jailolo and Ibu. Their fates are not known yet. Secretary of Assembly of Indonesian Ulama (MUI), Maluku Branch Drs. Adjid Bin Tahir The information was provided by Posko Badan Koordinasi Solidaritas Ummat Islam (Centre for Coordination of Muslim Solidarity), MUI, North Maluku Branch in Ternate. Hosted by www.Geocities.ws