Ambon, Kompas Online
Parliament's Commission I team member, Ishak Latuconsina who
went to Ambon emphasized that reconcilliation attempts in the form
of a rehabilitation program outside conflict handling, has to be
done simultaneously.
Development has to go on to provide the people security and
hope that conditions in Ambon are on the mend Before leaving Ambon
Sunday morning (12/5), Ishak Latuconsina told Kompas that seizure
of all forms of conflict and violence are given first priority and
a just but stern law enforcement as well.
The entire rehabilitation program should run simultaneously in
preparation for a return to "normal" life of the people,
a life that they used to live before unrest took over.
"If development has shown results, people would certainly
regret to destroy it," said Latuconsina.
Security is still not wholly restored. Sunday afternoon,
another bomb blast ripped the peaceful atmosphere apart when
citizens of the Diponegoro area, Urimessing Village, District
Sirimau were conducting excercises with the Infantry Batalion 741
Udayana's Task Force. One of the batalion men, Private Erdiono got
injured when he got hit by bomb shrapnel.
Security troops combing the surroundings of the site have held
seven people who have been charged with illegal arms posession and
explosives.
According to the Chief Spokesman of the Military District
Command XVI/Pattimura, Major herry Suhardi, a bomb was
unexpectedly thrown by an unidentified person. Shooting between
the military and this group took briefly place.
According to an information source, one of the local military
district command fighters, First Private Didi Bintara (28) who
happens to live in the area was hit inthe stomach.
The incident briefly attracted the crowd's attention around the
Pohon Puleh bridge. The traffic coming from Manggadua, for
instance, could not move further to the Tugu Trikora area. Even
so, Herry Suhardi said that until Sunday evening, security troops
succeeded in tempering down tensions that were built up gradually
during the day.
In stages
In Ambon, Commander Military District Command XVI/Pattimura,
Brigadier General Mustopo was quoted by Antara, that members of
the Holy War organization in Moluccas have to have a tactic and
strategies.
Earlier, the Authority of Central Civil Emergency requested its
counterpart in Moluccas to start taking legal steps that will lead
to the Holy War organization's exodus and dispersal of the
Moluccas Sovereignty Front, and the South Moluccas Republic's as
well. Government plans to oust the Holy War organization from
Moluccas is not going to solve the problem, according to the
Communication Front Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
FKM Chairman, Alexander Manuputty and 16 of his followers were
taken in custody by the Military District Police of Batalion XVI
Pattimura. The Commander of the Holy War (Laskar Jihad)
organization, Ustadz Ja'far Umar Thalib is detained at Police
Headquarters.
After Vice President Hamzah Haz' visit to Ja'far, the Minister
of Religion, Said Aqil Husin Al Munawar went to Police
Headquarters to see Ustadz Ja'far Umar Thalib around 06.00 who is
in custody of the Detective Police Unit.
The Team of Moslem Defence Lawyers (TPM) have been waiting
until Sunday evening for approval of their request tohat would
change Ustadz Ja'far's detention to city arrest. TPM's Ahmad
Michdan said that until Sunday afternoon no positive sign could be
detected that their request in favor of Ja'far's condition had
been approved by the Police. Meanwhile, their client is scheduled
to open and to give guidance at the National Work Congress of Ahlu
Sunnah Wal Jamaah which is slated to open at 10.00.
Michdan said, TPM will proceed its efforts until Ja'far Umar
Thalib's status has been changed, or at least be able to attend
the National Work Committee on May 23 in future.
Even though the training Chairman of the Communication Forum
Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaah (FKAWJ) has been detained, the National
Work Conference that according to plan will be opened by Vice
President Hamzah Haz, will go on this Monday.
No influence
The Chief Spokesman of Police Headquarters, Edward Aritonang,
confirmed the Minister of Religion's visit to Ustadz Ja'far.
According to Aritonang, Ja'far Umar Thalib is allowed to receive
visitors, whoever they may be and whenever they may like to see
him. It would not deter the ongoing legal processing of the
respective Holy War Commander.
"The Police is under no pressure from anyone. Legal
process of the suspect is still going on," said Aritonang who
disclosed that the Director General for Crime, Brigadier General
Aryanto Sutadi has accompanied the Minister of Religion during his
visit to Ja'far Umar Thalib.
Ahmad Michdan drew attention on the Minister of Religion's
visit to Ja'far which the minister claimed to be of a personal
nature and friend of Ja'far's. Before this meeting, the two
already met several times. Their last meeting was made in the
middle of April.
Imbalanced
Referring to the Moluccas Agreement of Malino, according to
Ishal Latuconsina other points covering re-evacuation of refugees
and return of their case and mental rehabilitation, social,
economic and general infrastructure will be done by the people and
government.
Apart from that, point eight stresses that all forms of
citizen's space limits will be released in order for a better
social and economic life in future. All along, concentration
trained on security and law enforcement have been poorly balanced
compared with programs of the Moluccas Government like feasible
general rehabilitation facilities.
General facilities like the market, for instance, it has been
structured in an emergency style while order still has to be
established. Market order, for instance, will make a favorable
impression on the business world. Taking care of the ruins of
burnt constructions, will also decrease the trauma of violence
which still can be felt and at the same time lessen the impression
that might surface of irrepairable conditions in Ambon.
Deputy Chairman of Parliament, Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, who is
chairman of the joint team said Saturda evening after a meeting
with folks figures that material derived straight from Ambon will
be treated afresh in Jakarta. All shortcomings and delays found in
the provinces will be reported to find the right solution and to
continue the reconcilliation process. (*)
