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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. 302
2002-06-26
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Ambon,
July 26, 2002
1. CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT REQUESTS TO STOP VIOLENCE –
About 750 Muslim and Christian children from Ambon, Masohi, Tual
and several other areas in the Moluccas came together in Ambon for
a Children’s Congress, July 19-21, 2002. Apart from various
games and entertainment, there was also serious talk, resulting in
a 10 point recommendation, of which the main item was: “The
government and the people must work together in order to stop the
conflict, so that the children of the Moluccas can grow up free
and easy”. Thus was read at the concluding ceremony by
chairperson Esty Ipaenim (14), pupil of the alternative SMU-School
at Galunggung, city of Ambon. She also asked the government to
take firm measures against those that in any way violated the
rights of the children. The 15-member parliament then handed the
statement to vice-governor Mrs. Paula B.Renyaan. Unicef, which had
co-organized this meeting, donated various school utensils and
four scholarships to the vice-governor to be distributed to those
that most needed them.
2. SEVEN ARABS SENT BACK – On July 24 seven
Saudi-Arabians arrived at Pattimura Airport, Laha/Ambon. As they
did not have a letter of recommendation signed by the Governor,
they were immediately sent back to where they had come from, i.e.
Makassar.
3. GENERAL SITUATION CITY OF AMBON – Summary in English
of a report by Jacky Manuputty via Masariku network on some
positive and negative aspects of the current situation in Ambon.
There is a gradual increase of mutual understanding and
intermingling of the Muslim and Christian communities. Several
routes in the city and out of the city can now safely be used –
if only before dark – by both communities, such as the
thoroughfare through Batumerah/Galunggung to the East and Pohon
Mangga to the West. Many Christians are not afraid to visit the
Muslim village of Tulehu, and Muslims have recreation together
with Christians at the famous Natsepa beach near Suli and at
Namalatu beach. Muslim women do not hesitate to wear their scarves
while entering Christian areas. Especially in merchandising people
easily intermingle.
However, there are quite a number of negative aspects to mention.
The encouraging development of intermingling sofar has not yet
yielded the by thousands of Central Moluccas refugees longed for
return to their homesteads. Several thousands of refugees even are
still hiding in the jungle of the island of Seram, far from any
humanitarian aid.
Programs of refugees’ welfare in many cases turn out to be mere
business, both by government and by many dozens of local NGO-s.
Corruption and mismanagement prevail over honesty.
Effectuation of justice is often restricted to wishful thinking or
mere formality. Known evildoer are hardly prosecuted if there is
no public pressure from certain groups. And for those that are in
detention, it is usually not difficult to go free or have their
detention “postponed”.
Ambon has become fertile soil, too, for gambling and prostitution.
Everywhere accumulations of garbage are sending out their
unappetizing smell.
In short: Ambon is no longer “Ambon Manisee” (Sweet Ambon).
4. STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR NORTH MOLUCCAS – Caretaking
Governor of the North Moluccas, Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, acting as
the Provincial Civil Emergency Administrator, sent out a letter in
which the Province of the North Moluccas from now on is declared
closed to anyone whose identity is ambiguous or who has no
apparent reason to be in the area or even could be indicated as
potentially arousing renewed conflict. Asked by Jakarta based
“Kompas” daily newspaper about the reason of this measure,
Sarundajang answered that the worsening situation in the Tobelo
area – North Halmahera – induced him to take stern measures.
The cause of this renewed horizontal conflict may be the
competition towards the election of a new Governor for the North
Moluccas.
His statement contained four other items: among other things he
ordered anybody who is illegally in possession of weapons, to hand
them over to the security forces within fourteen days. Anybody
that after this period will be found in illegal possession of any
weaponry, will be prosecuted in court.
5. DARWIN–AMBON YACHT RACE – The scheduled
“Darwin-Saumlaki Yacht Race” we reported about on July 21
(Report 300) has now obtained official approval of the Governor of
the Moluccas and will take place within short.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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