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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]
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THE
SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 372
2003-19-06
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Ambon, June 19, 2003
1.
DEMAND FOR DEATH PENALTY OF COKER GANG MEMBER – On several
occasions we already reported on the nefarious activities of the
christian coker gang from the Kudamati neighbourhood, city of
Ambon (See Reports 89, 323, 326, 329, 343, 403). “Coker” is
short for Cowo-Cowo Keren (Ambonese, meaning “Bold
Youngsters”). Even as the conflict in the Moluccas was seemingly
drawing to an end, they still tried to have it going on (probably
because of being paid for it) by placing bombs, that caused the
death of a considerable number of innocent civilians. Now local
newsmedia report that, on June 18, the prosecution at the North
Jakarta District Court has postulated the death sentence for Coker
member Abraham Tariola, whereas imprisonment for life was demanded
for Andreas Polaufessy. Both are accused of illegally fabricating
and delivering a hundred bombs that then were used by other
members of the Coker gang, led by Berthy Loupatty, when attacking
the villages of Porto and Haria on the island of Saparua.
Earlier the Coker gang members had already confessed to have
carried out action on eleven occasions, among which the assault on
the villages of Soya, Porto, Haria and the disastrous explosion on
the “California” motorboat on December 11, 2001.
2. PREPARING ELECTION OF NEW GOVERNOR – A new Governor
and Vice Governor for the Province of the Moluccas should already
have been elected last November. However, considering the still
tense situation then, it was opted that it was better to postpone
the election. Meanwhile some time ago the Provincial House of
Representatives established a special Election Committee, led by
John Mailoa. It is the wish of the present acting governor, Harry
Sinyo Sarundayang, that the election should take place as soon as
possible. In this context the Election Committee has just come
back from a meeting with the Minister of Interior Affairs in
Jakarta, and will now carefully ponder further steps, not wishing
to trigger any irregularities or strife.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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