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FKM
defies Maluku authorities
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The
Jakarta Post April
12, 2003
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FKM defies Maluku authorities
Azis Tunny, The Jakarta
Post, Ambon, Maluku
The Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM),
affiliated with the South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist
movement, said 2,500 supporters would raise the RMS flag in
observance of the group's 54th anniversary on April 25, in
defiance of the Maluku authorities.
FKM secretary-general Moses
Tuanakota said the banned group had organized numerous activities
across the province, including the raising of the RMS flag, to
mark the independence movement's anniversary.
"In observing of the RMS' 54th
anniversary, supporters and sympathizers will hold a flag-raising
ceremony in our home village. As a consequence, 2,500 supporters
of the RMS are ready to be shot dead or sent to jail for 20
years," he said during a press conference here on Friday.
Moses said the Indonesian
government did not have the authority to bar the FKM and its
supporters from celebrating the anniversary because the South
Maluku Republic was registered with the United Nations.
"The Indonesian authorities
cannot arrest and jail FKM supporters because, unlike the
separatist movements in Aceh and Papua, we are fighting for our
rights peacefully. Our struggle is a moral movement, not a violent
one," he said.
Moses also challenged the
government to bring the RMS issue to the UN, saying the two sides
should allow the International Court of Justice decide whether the
South Maluku Republic is legitimate.
"To prove the legal truth of
the RMS' existence, the RMS issue should be brought to an
international tribunal, not the Indonesian courts," he said.
Moses also handed out a leaflet in
the regency of Central Maluku that called on people not to heed
the government's ban on the anniversary celebrations. The leaflet
also said Maluku was not part of the Indonesian unitary state.
Acting Maluku Governor Sinyo Harri
Sarundayang warned FKM supporters against celebrating the RMS
anniversary, saying security authorities would take action against
those violating the ban.
Maj. Gen. Agustadi, chief of the
Pattimura Military Command overseeing security in Maluku and North
Maluku, also warned that security authorities would take action
against anyone raising the RMS flag on April 25.
"I have ordered all security
personnel to arrest those violating the ban. Both FKM and RMS are
banned organizations and their supporters are prohibited from
taking part in any political activities," he said after
attending a meeting here on Friday.
He also said authorities were
considering arresting Moses immediately for security reasons.
Agustadi repeated his warning to
FKM supporters not to raise the RMS flag, saying that those
violating the ban would be arrested and charged with subversion.
FKM Chairman Alex Manuputty was
sentenced to three years in jail for subversion after being found
guilty of inciting people to raise the RMS flag last April. He is
appealing to Jakarta High Court.
Agustadi also warned the press
against writing positive articles about the RMS, discrediting the
government or printing provocative news about the separatist
movement. He said the press should remain neutral.
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