The Jakarta Post, May 01, 2002
Mega orders probe into Ambon attack
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri instructed Maluku authorities to make a thorough
investigation into the deadly attack on Soya village and to take tough action against
those involved in the violence that has derailed the two-month-old Malino peace
agreement.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
said after a meeting with the President on Tuesday that Megawati also asked
authorities under the civil emergency to replace officials whose responsibility was to
maintain peace and order in the province.
Also attending the meeting held at the presidential palace were Vice President
Hamzah Haz and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla and
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti.
The minister did not elaborate on who should be made to account for the incident but
according to the law, Governor Saleh Latuconsina has been in charge of the civil
emergency imposed last July.
Twelve people were killed and several others seriously injured when unidentified
gunmen launched an attack on Soya village on Sunday morning.
The situation in Ambon remained tense after shots were fired at two motorboats off
Teluk Dalam in the city on Tuesday. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Antara news agency reported that the incident occurred when a speedboat Tobastar
loaded with passengers from Galala in Sirimau Subdistrict traveling to Benteng in
Nusanive subdistrict and another speedboat Amilos traveling in the opposite direction
were fired at.
The firing stopped after several Marine Corps members who later escorted the two
speedboats fired warning shots into the air. The Marine Corps unit later deployed two
speedboats with a number of soldiers to step up security along the sea lane.
Asked about the possibility of imposing martial law in the province, Susilo said the
government had not decided whether it was necessary to impose martial law to end
the conflict.
"We are waiting for a further report from the Maluku authorities on the latest
developments to evaluate the situation, he said.
National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Tuesday that he had instructed the
Maluku Police not to hesitate in taking tough action and to arrest those suspected of
inciting chaos or religious violence.
"Whether they belong to a Muslim (radical) group or a Christian group or whatever ...
we won't tolerate any violations of the law. They will be arrested and will be tried
according to the law," Da'i told reporters in Surabaya, East Java.
A reliable source at the National Police Headquarters who requested anonymity said
that eyewitnesses to the recent attacks, acts of arson and bombings were
traumatized.
"They are in shock. They have said that the attackers were all dressed from head to
foot in black ... and that they were professionals. They conducted the attacks and
arson within seconds. They fought like trained soldiers," one source said at the
National Police Headquarters.
Meanwhile, support from military officials and politicians has been increasing for
declaring martial law in Maluku.
Admiral Widodo A.S., chief of the Indonesian Military, said the government should
have plausible reasons to impose martial law.
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the government should impose martial law
because of the worsening situation and the civilian administration's ineffectiveness.
"The government should consider taking a further step that can effectively end violence
by imposing martial law," Akbar told the press here.
Sutradara Gintings, chairman of the Indonesian National Unity (KKI) faction concurred
saying the civil emergency currently imposed on Maluku has proven ineffective.
House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno said earlier that the current officials
in Maluku should step down if they were unable to restore security and order and stop
the conflict.
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