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Seram
people demand separate regencies
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The
Jakarta Post
February
14, 2003
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Seram people demand separate
regencies
Aziz Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon,
Maluku
Hundreds of people in Seram greeted House of Representatives'
legislators with a rally to urge the lawmakers to support their
demands for new regencies on Maluku island.
Bearing banners stating their desire for separate regencies in
West Seram and East Seram, the crowd asked for an unscheduled
meeting with the legislators, who arrived at Pattimura airport in
Ambon from Jakarta for a visit to the Aru islands in Southeast
Maluku.
The meeting forced the legislators to delay their trip until
Friday.
Representatives of the protesters insisted during the talks, which
were held at the Hotel Amans, that the House support their case,
which they had been fighting for since 1997. Some of the local
people threatened to attack state assets and set an oil well
alight on Seram island, which is part of Central Maluku regency.
Manase Malo, who heads the House's nine-member team, asked the
protesters to remain calm and refrain from using violence.
"We will take the people's wishes into account and will bring
their demands before a House plenary session. We just need your
moral support," said Manase, the legislator in charge of the
regional autonomy campaign.
The lawmakers are in Maluku to observe the implementation of
regional autonomy, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2001. Since then
over 100 new regencies have been formed, bringing the total number
of regencies and municipalities to 410.
During the one-hour discussion, the local people also asked the
legislators to visit Bula district in the eastern part of Seram on
Friday to meet more people who supported the establishment of new
regencies on the island.
Another legislator, M. Taher Saimima, said his team would put
pressure on the Central Maluku regent and councillors, Maluku
provincial council, and governor to accept the Seram people's
demands.
Criticizing Maluku officials for a lack of good faith in
responding to the people's demands, Taher said the House would
consider drafting an initiative bill on the creation of new
regencies in Seram.
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