JAKARTA (JP): Civil emergency administration in Maluku province
has extended the curfew in the restive province for an additional
three hours, from the previous period of between 12 a.m. and 5
p.m. to now 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., reports said Friday.
The additional curfew was announced by Maluku Governor Saleh
Latuconsina in a decree dated on May 23, 2002 and would be valid
until further notice, Antara reported.
The decision was taken to speed up the process in restoring law
and order in the province, Maluku deputy governor Paula Renyaan
said.
Meanwhile in Jakarta, it was reported that there was a meeting
involving top Cabinet minister sand security authorities to
further work on the new security arrangement in Maluku, but
nofurther details were available.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono earlier said that there will be a new structure
of security command in Maluku, in which there will be a security
coordinating unit called "Indonesian Military -
NationalPolice (TNI-Polri) Operational Command in Maluku" led
by a two-star general and a deputy coordinator from the National
Police with the rank of Brigadier General. The operational command
unitwill be directly put under supervision of Maluku Governor.
Maj. Gen. Djoko Santoso, the commander of 1st Division of Army
Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) and Maj. Gen. Harry Kosasih,
currently the operational assistant to the Army chief of staff
have been widely mentioned as prospective candidates to lead the
Maluku operational command, the news agency reported.
No official confirmation on the matter was immediately
available. (edt)
