Indonesia - OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 156
22 - 28 November 2003
ACEH (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam)
General Situation
During the week, local press reported that 23 GAM members were killed as result of
violent incidents in Aceh province.
National Military Commander, Gen. Endriatono Sutarto, on Saturday (22 Nov.)
travelled to North Aceh District to officially inaugurate Brigadier General George
Toisutta, replacing Major General Bambang Darmono, as TNI's new Operation
Commander for the province. Meanwhile the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Ryamizard
Ryacudu, visited Banda Aceh and West Aceh District from 23 to 26 November to
evaluate the first six months of the state of Military Emergency in the province. In
regard to the up-coming general elections in Aceh, the General underlined that there
would be no need for additional troops to secure this event.
The Serambi Daily reported on 22 November that the Provincial Representative of
Justice and Human Rights Ministry, T. Darwin, announced on Friday (21 Nov.) that 14
foreigners have been rejected from entering the province since the government
declared military emergency status in Aceh. Darwin described that of those rejected
included HDC representative and a number of other expatriates from UK, South Korea,
Japan and Malaysia. He stressed that tighter immigration control should be enforced
in some other parts of the province including Lhokseumawe and Lhoksukon of North
Aceh District where foreigners are still able to travel without being checked by
immigration officials.
CENTRAL SULAWESI
General Situation
The Jakarta Post reported on Thursday (27 Nov.) that a homemade bomb exploded
near a housing complex in Lawanga subdistrict, Poso district early on Wednesday
(26 Nov.), just hours after a group of unidentified men opened fire in a neighbouring
village. No casualties were reported.
Local media, Radar Sulteng, reported on Thursday (27 Nov.) that gun-shots were
heard on Tuesday (25 Nov.) morning in the eastern part of Poso Kota. No casualties
have been reported.
CWS Central Sulawesi reported that 3 bombs were found at Poso district on Tuesday
(25 Nov.) morning, around 3 am local time. The first bomb exploded at Eklesia church,
and shortly after that the second bomb exploded near a local department store. The
third bomb was found at Gereja Pantekosta di Indonesia (GPDI) church, but did not
explode. No casualties have been reported from any of the incidents.
All humanitarian activities by international agencies in Poso are currently suspended
due to the security situation.
MALUKU
General Situation
A local newspaper, Siwalima, reported on Saturday (22 Nov.) that the Maluku Police
launched a special operation called "Ketupat Lilin" (rice cake and candle) during the
festive season in order to improve the security situation in the province. 2,000 security
personnel are on guard for this event. Head of Maluku Police also warned the
community of a possibility of bomb explosions during the festive season.
According to a local newspaper, Siwalima, on Monday (24 November) a local district
attorney, Pietere Sahanaya, demanded a two year and six month imprisonment for
six supporters of RMS, for their participation in an RMS anniversary ceremony. The
six are also accused of several offences including plan to divide Maluku province from
the unity of Indonesia and to destabilize national security.
A local newspaper, Ambon Ekspress, reported on Thursday (28 November) on a fight
between 2 communities in Seith village, Salahutu sub district, Central Maluku district,
on Tuesday (25 November). Three people were injured and one house burned down.
The head of Police for Ambon Island, Teguh Budi Prasojo, confirmed the incident and
explained that, the fighting started when one community threw stones against the
other community who was on march celebrating Idul Fitri. However security was soon
established by a Brimob detachment that separated the fighting groups.
Population movement
A local newspaper, Siwalima, on Saturday (22 November) reported that 3,000 IDPs
originating from Buru, currently residing in Ambon, would like to return to their places
of origin. The IDP coordinator confirmed that the necessary documents have been
forwarded to the pertinent government institution, however there has been no response
until now.
Economic Recovery and Infrastructure
From 17 to 21 November, ICMC sponsored staff members from three local NGOs to
participate in a one-week ToT (Training of Trainers) on Advocacy & Gender. The
training was conducted by a local NGO Yayasan Bina Karya Sejahtera from
Jogyakarta. As a follow-up to this training, ICMC staff and partners are currently in the
process of designing training for community members of several sub districts (Waai,
Liang, Tulehu, and Salahutu) in Central Maluku district.
NORTH MALUKU
[Nothing to report]
PAPUA
General Situation
Antara news service reported on Thursday (27 November) that 50 people were
arrested by Manokwari Police for flying the West Melanesian Flag. The local Police
Chief stated that the suspects might have raised the flags to commemorate the
declaration of the West Melanesian state on Nov. 27, 1997.
This report and previous ones can be found at http://www.reliefweb.int
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
UN Building 5th Floor
Jl. MH Thamrin 14
P.O. Box 2238, Indonesia
FAX: (+62-21) 319-00-003
PHONE: (+62-21) 314-1308, Ext. 126, 150
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