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, January 29, 2003
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 350
1. THREE YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR FKM LEADERS – Though in the trial
against Alex Manuputty and Semmy Waeleruny five years inprisonment had been
demanded by public prosecutor Herman Koedoeboen, during the recent session of the
district court of North Jakarta both were sentenced to (only) three years
imprisonment. Manuputty and Waeleruny are the leaders of the FKM (Front
Kedaulatan Maluku = South Moluccas Independence Movement) and are accused of
unlawful activities, specifically by ordering the RMS flag to be hoisted last April 25
(see Reports 267 sqq.). The prosecution has appealed against this decision,
considering the sentence to light. Meanwhile Manuputty and Waeleruny are still in
Ambon, just waiting for the court to call them to make a start with their imprisonment
or perhaps waiting for the outcome of the appeal by the prosecution.
2. TRIAL OF BERTY LOUPATTY C.S. – The trial of Christian "Coker gang" leader
Berthy Loupatty and his 18 fellow Coker members who are in detention at Brimob
Police Headquarters in Jakarta being accused of a number of terrorist activities in
Ambon and on nearby islands (see Reports 323, 326, 343), is to be opened next
week.
3. UNRULY RUMOURS – Since several days certain rumours are spreading in
Ambon about new attacks to be expected. It is also whispered that on the Northern
(mainly muslim) peninsula of Ambon (Jazirah Leihitu) people say that those from
Buton, Bugis and Makassar better had go back their own folks on South Sulawesi –
notwithstanding the fact that many of them have lived in Ambon for several
generations already. However, military and police authorities deny the existence of
any such rumours.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
