Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku
Police in Maluku have charged 129 people with treason after
they were allegedly caught hoisting the flag of the South Maluku
Republic (RMS) separatist movement during its 53th anniversary on
April 25.
"The 129 detainees have been officially charged with
treason," said Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang
Sutrisno on Saturday.
Under article 106 of the Criminal Code, suspects face up to 20
years in jail for treason.
"We will submit their dossiers to the prosecutors office
as soon as possible," Bambang said.
Police went all out to prevent locals hoisting the RMS flag on
its anniversary. Police said they arrested others as they held
secret meetings to prepare for the occasion.
One of the suspects is a police officer identified as Andre
Kakisina. Police arrested Andre as he was making uniforms for the
RMS paramilitary members.
The RMS separatist movement has regained popularity, mainly
among Maluku's Christian communities, following a three-year
conflict with Muslims on the island.
Responding to growing calls for the government to hold talks
with the RMS, the Maluku administration said this was unlikely.
"If there is an idea to do so, we will consider it
(negotiation), but it's unlikely for us to take this
measure," Maluku acting governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang said
Saturday.
Maluku Military Commander Maj. Gen. Agustadi dismissed the
idea, saying that negotiating with banned organizations did not
make sense.
"We have disbanded the organization (RMS) and should we
engage in talks with them, that's like acknowledging them. So why
should we hold any dialogue," he said.
Calls have grown to hold talks with the separatists following
RMS' anniversary on April 25. The movement cited the Indonesian
government's stance to negotiate with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
GAM has been fighting for the independence of the resource rich
province of Aceh since 1976. The war has claimed more than 10,000
lives, mainly civilians. A peace agreement signed last year
appears to be collapsing.
The government said that opening talks with the RMS was not the
answer for Maluku as the movement lacked support from the people.
Sinyo said that only a few people in Maluku were willing to
identify themselves with the struggle of RMS.
"It's final. Maluku is part of Indonesia, and there is
just no place for the separatist movement here," he said.