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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. 273
2002-05-01 |
CIVIL
EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD WITHDRAW Up to now the
Civil Emergency Administrator, governor M.S.Latuconsina, has
not been available for any commentary on recent events. John
Mailoa, deputy chairman of the Ambon House of Representatives
(DPRD Kota Ambon), declared that the Governor should
acknowledge at last that he has failed as the Responsible for
the Civil Emergency State and should withdraw as the Governor
of the Moluccas. The President then could appoint a caretaking
Governor. No objection if this caretaker would be recruited
from the military.
STANCE
OF THE TOWN COUNCIL The Ambon House of Representatives
expressed its disappointment on the recent surge of violence
in Ambon. It denounces the flag hoisting on and after last
April 25, it utterly condemns the savage slaughtering of human
beings in Soya and the burning of the village. It reminds the
government that the Moluccas Agreement of Malino also involved
the government as partner with full responsibility. The 35
members intend to leave for Jakarta (on everybodys own
expense!) to meet with the President.
ARRIVAL
OF ASSISTANCE TEAM The government in Jakarta has
despatched a special four member team to Ambon to assist the
Governor and his closest aides in their efforts to end the
conflict in the Moluccas. This team is composed of senior
functionaries from Police, Army, Home Affairs Department and
Prosecution Counsel. It arrived in Ambon on Monday, April 29.
One of its members, retired military officer Syamsiar W.,
while interviewed on TV, explained the purpose of their
coming. They have hotline connection with the government in
Jakarta in order to report on the situation in Ambon and on
local proceedings in coping with the unrest. He said they had
already advised the governor to take uncompromising measures
towards those that try to continue the conflict.
MILITARY
EMERGENCY STATE? Cabinet Minister Yudhoyono and other
authorities in Jakarta, while pondering to replace the Civil
Emergency State in the Moluccas by a Military Emergency State,
acknowledged that to that end they needed the advice of the
Civil Emergeny Administrator of the Moluccas and of the
Assistance Team that recently was dispatched to Ambon. John
Mailoa probably verbalizes the general feeling of the
Moluccans by pronouncing his conviction that there is no need
to apply the Military Emergency State.
SHOULD
NOT JAFAR BE ARRESTED? The Joint Investigation Team is
ready to arrest and interrogate Jafar Umar Thalib on his
recent provoking tabliq akbar, if only it is ordered to do so
by the Civil Emergency Administrator thus was stated by
its chairman Johny Tangkudung. Asked how he possibly could
expect to be able to arrest Jafar when even minor conspicuous
opponents of the Moluccas Agreement like Muhammad Atamimi and
Abdullah Latuapo could not be laid hands on, he only answered
that they would try and do their best.
National
Police Chief General Dai Bachtiar said that investigation
will be done on Jafar Umar Tahilbs tabliq akbar speech in
Ambon on Friday April 26, by the Assistance Team that recently
arrived in Ambon.
Meanwhile
Semmy Waeleruny, judiciary leader of the Front Kedaulatan
Maluku defending the rights of the RMS, has been indicated as
defendant; his case will be brought to court as soon as
possible said Johny Tangkudung.
SPEEDBOAT
SHOT AT At about 8.00 a.m. on Tuesday April 30,
speedboat Melios with (Christian) passengers travelling in the
Bay of Ambon from Benteng to Galala, was shot at by another
speedboat. Accompanying Brimob and Marine servicemen answered
by firing at the attacking speedboat which thereupon fled to
safety.
MYSTERIOUS
INTRUDERS At several places in and around Ambon (Batumeja,
Gonzalo Veloso, Kayu-Putih etc.) unidentified intruders in
military outfit enter the christian areas (maybe also in
muslim areas?) for nocturnal visits, thereby terrifying the
local residents and causing the male population to be on the
alert with any weaponry that might not have been surrendered
yet. It is said that several of them have been arrested, even
have been saved from being lynched. Last time this phenomenon
happened was during May-June 2001.
C.J.Bφhm
msc, Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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