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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. 288
2002-05-20
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Ambon,
May 20, 2002
1.
STATEMENT OF ADAT CHIEFS – A party of about 150
people went up to the Governor’s residence at Mangga Dua last
Saturday, 18 May. It consisted of Muslim Adat Chiefs (so-called Latupati),
religious leaders, leading civilians and delegates from youth
organisations, coming from Ambon and some other parts of the
Central Moluccas area (Leihitu, Hatuhaha, Laha, Salahutu,
Batumerah, Banda-Eli, West Seram etc.). They said to have come to
communicate their stand, especially in connection with post-Malino
unrest in Ambon. Their five-point statement focused on: (1)
Condemning all anarchism and the recent acts of violence and
terrorism; (2) Supporting the government in its efforts to end the
violence, to exert law and order and reestablish safe living
conditions in the Moluccas; (3) Urging the Muslim leaders to bring
about reconciliation within the Muslim community itself by sincere
dialogue; (4) Activating the muslim community to take care and
maintain ukhuwah Islamiah
(Islam brotherhood). (5) If no heed is paid to these four
items, the Muslim community will apply punishment according to
local adat. The
statement was signed by a number of Latupatis
and also by the BIMM (“Badan
Immarat Muslim Maluku”) chairman Kyai Haji Ali Fauzi.
This
statement was highly appreciated by the governor. He said it
should create unity among the Muslims and foster reconciliation
with the Christians. The governor also said that indeed internal
reconciliation was an important step towards bringing back the
Moluccas to normal living conditions. Both Christians and Muslims
recently had internal conflicts (the Porto-Haria strife, the
commotion around Berthy Loupatty, the burning of Thamrin Elly’s
house etc.).
Syamsiar
W., leader of the Assistance Team (see
Report 273), declared in an ensuing interview, that the Latupati
statement was an important step towards ending the conflict. He
said the Christians should do likewise.
2.
MALINO DELEGATE’S HOUSE UNDER FIRE – At about 2.30
yesterday morning Kopassus military directed gunfire at the house
of Christian grassroot Pemmy Souissa in the OSM area; Pemmy was
also one of the Malino delegates. Nobody was hurt in this
incident. Kopassus commander Imam Santoso afterwards declared to
the press, that the firing was only meant as warning because the
curfew was being violated. Unfortunately a number of shots that
were aimed downwards bounced up and hit the house, shattering some
windowpanes. The Kopassus – he said – by no means wants to
terrorize civilians. Pemmy, however, insisted that the shootig was
directed at him while he was standing in front of his house,
alarmed by some bomb explosions and gunfire in nearby Kudamati.
3.
LASKAR JIHAD TO LEAVE THE MOLUCCAS – Laskar Jihad
leader Jafar Umar Thalib, now in detention in Jakarta, reportedly
has ordered the Laskar Jihad to leave the Moluccas. Asked for his
commentary, the Governor said he was genuinely glad to learn this
piece of news and would facilitate their departure using all
available means.
4.
LASKAR JIHAD HANDS OVER WEAPONRY – Yesterday morning,
at their quarters near the Amal Saleh Mosque compound of Kebun
Cengkeh, Ambon, Jihad forces officially handed over a number of
weapons to Military Chief Commander Brigader General Mustopo.
Among the 21 different kinds of weaponry there were 250 home-made
bombs, 100 molotov cocktails and several standard rifles and
pistols. This reconciliatory act – they said – was based on
the recommendation of Vice President Hamzah Haz that the Laskar
Jihad should surrender their weapons and leave the Moluccas, and
was also motivated by their increasing trust in the government now
that FKM leaders Alex Manuputty and Semmy Waeleruny and 18 other
RMS/FKM suspects had been detained. They said they expected the
government to protect the Muslim community in the Moluccas,
especially against the RMS/FM separatist movement. Mustopo
confirmed that he will not disappoint them. He added that he had
asked the government in Jakarta to send a team of specialists to
find the caches of RMS/FKM weaponry in Ambon.
5.
GOVERNOR’S TERM – The period of tenure of a
Governor, head of a Province, is five years. Governor Dr.
M.S.Latuconsina thus has still about six months to go. On various
occasions it has been put forward, that the special conflict
situation in the Moluccas needs somebody with special abilities
and professionalism in coping with such circumstances.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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