AMBON, Maluku (JP): Leader of the
Maluku Protestant Church Rev. IWJ Hendrik said here on Thursday that the
government should make use of the momentum to restore security in Ambon
following the withdrawal of Laskar Jihad, a Muslim militia led by Ja'far Umar
Thalib.
The first batch of 780 members departed on Tuesday from Ambon on board the KM
Doloronda passenger ship heading for Java. Ja'far had disbanded the milita
more than a week ago.
Hendrik said the Maluku people as a whole expected security to be restored as
soon as possible.
Hendrik attributed the relatively calm situation to the local communities'
understanding that not all Muslims were Laskar Jihad members and that not all
Christians were members of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist group.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Ambon City Council Lucky Wattimury warned the
provincial security authorities to beware of local agitators after the Laskar
Jihad members returned to Java. "I have noted that the latest bombings were
masterminded by local agitators from both communities," he said here on
Thursday.
Lucky said the withdrawal of Laskar Jihad members was a reflection of the
government's commitment to restore security and order. "Actually, the
removal of Jihad members had been one of the five points in the agreement
between the Ambon City Council and the central government," he said.
