CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 – Ambon 97124 – Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, April 15, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 261
1. INCREASING TENSENESS – As April 25th (the annual commemoration of the
RMS Separatist Movement) is coming near, tenseness in Ambon is growing. In the
Christian neighbourhood of Kudamati the number of security forces has been stepped
up forestalling any irregularities in this area which by the government is considered to
be a nest of separatist RMS / FKM supporters. Ordered by the TPG (Tim Penyidik
Gabungan = Joint Investigation Team), the judicial leader of the FKM (Forum
Kedaulatan Maluku), Semmy Waeleruny, last Thursday, April 11, was called and met
at his home by the Military Police, backed up by three truckloads of soldiers, in order
to explain on rumours concerning the hoisting of the RMS flag next April 25th. He was
questioned at the TPG Office for two consecutive days. However, the interrogation
was said to be caried out in a "relaxed way".
Meanwhile we can see trucks full of Christian youngsters riding through the Christian
neighbourhoods of the city, loudly singing songs like "Onward Christian Soldiers" in
its Indonesian rendition, thus adding to people's anxiousness.
DPRD Vice-Chairman John Mailoa asked the authorities to be watchful on any
disturbances around public facilities such as the Town Mayor's Office, the State's
Attorney's Office, even the RSU (Rumah Sakit Umum = Government Hospital),
forestalling any damaging actions towards these indispensable facilities.
2. ANOTHER BOMB BLAST – In the late afternoon of April 14 a bomb exploded in
the Christian neighbourhood of Urimessing, Ambon. It was thrown coming from the
nearby Air Mata Cina area. Since the bomb happened to land and explode in an open
water reservoir, it did not cause any damage.
3. ONGOING SEARCH FOR THE TERRORISTS – The two suspects in the case of
the recent bomb blast in the Yan Paays Street, Idi Amin Thabrani Pattimura alias
Ongen Pattimura, and Syafruddin alias Zaza, are thought to be hiding in South
Sulawesi now. South Sulawesi Police Commander Firman Gani has ordered an
intensive search for them, with special watchfulness at airports and harbours.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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