|
Lawamena
Victoria Reports by
CRISIS
CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
e-mail [email protected]
|
THE
SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 354 2003-05-03
|
Ambon, March 5, 2003
1.
FOUR PAKISTANI OUSTED / SCREENING OF FOREIGNERS Last
February 15, four Pakistani disembarked from M.S. Lambelu when it
docked at Ambon. They seem to have come to Ambon in order to
execute social and religious activities. However, on February 23
they were caught in Masohi, South Seram, and found not to be in
possession of all needed documents. So they were ordered to leave
the Moluccas which they did on February 24. This is a moderate
version of the rather diverse and lengthy reports by the various
local mass media on this case.
Anyway, this incident shows that the control on foreigners that
arrive by ship, should be upgraded. Also, since there seems to be
unsufficient coordination between the various departments that
have to decide on cases like these, acting governor Harry Sinyo
Sarundayang declared on local TV on February 28, that he now has
established a coordinating team that will screen and select any
request concerning foreigners visiting the Moluccas, specifically
Ambon and neighbouring islands. An important item in this
perspective is checking out on the purpose of the intended visit.
2. VICTIM OF SNIPER On February 27, Umar Tualeka (41)
from Pelauw (island of Haruku), while gathering durians at some
distance from his village, was seriously injured when unexpectedly
shot at by an unidentified person.
Interviewed on this case by "Siwalima" daily, Bishop
P.C. Mandagi MSC very much regretted this incident (and some
earlier incidents) to have happened, because though less
frequently than in the past it proves that in the Moluccas
there are still terrorists executing their nefarious activities.
He wondered how it is possible that outside the Moluccas a number
of cases can be solved, while in the Moluccas people just have to
do with the assurance that "investigation will be done ns the
culprits will be brought to justice", but in fact hardly ever
a culprit is caught. Thus he doubts either the capability or the
sincerety of the police forces.
3. MEETING OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS On February 25, in the
Amans Hotel, Ambon city, a meeting of religious leaders was held.
Acting governor Sarundayang on this occasion said he hoped that
the spirit of each religion will create the new Moluccas. One of
the speakers was Dr. H. Tarmiji Taher, former Cabinet Minister of
Religious Affairs.
4. REFUGEES KASUI One may remember the islamisation
that starting towards the end of November 2000 (Report 96 sqq.,
132) took place on Kasui, a small island South-East of Seram
island, involving some 800 Christians. Recently a JRS team (JRS =
Jesuit Refugee Service), stationed in Ambon, went there and met
with local leaders of the various villages and hamlets on the
island, asking them about their stance in case the Christians
would come back to Kasui. Apparently most of the Muslims did not
object to the Christians returning to their original
homesteads. However, village elders in several other places said
did not agree to their returning. Main reasons they mentioned
were: those christians had become Muslims, and now they have
returned to their original religion, i.e. Christian. Thus they are
to be regarded as apostates. Another reason they gave was their
fear that these Christians would take revenge on them because of
what had been done to them. Besides, they! did not wish any
military security forces to be placed on the island. Thus the
Kasui Christians, most of whom are staying as refugees in the town
of Tual and in various villages on the island of Kei Kecil, have
little hope to be able to return to their island in the near
future.
5. ELECTION NEW GOVERNOR According to acting governor
Sarundayang not obstructing any renewed conflict or tenseness
the election of a new governor and vice governor for the
province of the Moluccas should take place next May.
6. BISHOP CRITICIZES CORRUPTION IN DISTRIBUTING EMERGENCY AID
During an interview with "Siwalima" daily, Mgr. P.C.
Mandagi MSC, bishop of Amboina, criticized some unnamed
individuals that are entrusted with distributing various aid to
local refugees. He praises the government, both in Jakarta and in
Ambon for their concern for the refugees, but curses those
bureaucrats who appropriate to themselves substantial portions of
the impressive funds that are meant to be handed out to refugees
that still have to live in destitute and pitiful circumstances.
"They are paving for themselves the road to hell", he
said.
7. NUMBERS OF REFUGEES On February 20, 2003, acting
governor Sarundayang provided some numbers in connection with
refugees. Of the 332.548 refugees (63.971 families), 113.806
(23.464 families) have been either returned to their original
homesteads, either been given permanent shelter with relatives
etc. or been relocated elsewhere. For the remaining 218.742
refugees (40.507 families) must be found a solution before the end
of 2003.
Due to failure of technical
devices at the server, all of Ambon has been cut off from internet
connection for almost a fortnight already. We send this report out
via the local post office. We apologize to those that e-mailed us
meanwhile and up to now have not yet received any reply.
C.J.Bφhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
|