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, November 8, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS -- Report No. 326
1. INVOLVEMENT ARMED FORCES IN MOLUCCAS CONFLICT – We read on
"infomaluku" that reports of possible involvement of Indonesian Military Forces (TNI)
keep appearing in the media. There seem to be ties between on the one hand two
hard-line muslim organizations, namely the Jamaah Islamiyah and the Laskar Jihad,
and on the other hand some TNI generals. Recently arrested members of the
(supposedly) terrorist Coker gang in Ambon already confessed that they received
training and funds from the Kopassus (TNI elite force). CNN mentioned the statement
of an Ambonese Muslim warrior, who had joined the Laskar Jihad, that the Laskar
Jihad was disbanded by TNI generals in order to hide their individual ties with the
organization. The TNI, however, denies any ties between the military and the Laskar
Jihad.
2. BERTY AND MEMBERS COKER GANG POSSIBLY IN PAPUA – The police is
still searching for the whereabouts of Berty Loupatty, leader of the Christian Coker
gang, who is suspected to be an instigator of violence in Ambon. The police in
Jayapura (Irian / Papua) began to suspect that Berty and seven Coker thugs are in
Papua after the arrest of two men, Daniel Sangor and Ronald Fautngilyanan,
connected with an incident at the Cendrawasih University's campus, where Daniel
possibly wanted to start a conflict. Both have been detained by the Jayapura police for
further investigation, because they are suspected to be members of the Coker gang
(Coker is short for Cowo-Cowo Keren – Ambonese, meaning "Bold Youngsters", see
Report 89 no.4).
3. NEED FOR EQUIPMENT TO RAISE THE WRECKAGE OF THE SUNK VESSEL –
The "Masohi Star" motorboat that sank in the bay of Ambon on November 3, is
believed to contain the bodies of more than sixty drowned passengers. However, in
Ambon there is no equipment available to raise the vessel from its estimated 100
meters / 110 yards depth. So the governor has submitted a request for the appropriate
equipment.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
