The Jakarta Post, July 12, 2002
Probe into military role in Ambon conflict sought
Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Maluku provincial councillors urged on Thursday the government-sanctioned team
probing violations of the law in the troubled province to investigate the alleged
involvement of security personnel in the prolonged sectarian conflict.
During a meeting with the visiting investigation team, the councillors also demanded a
thorough investigation of all military and police commanders who were in office during
the clashes over the past three years. They include former Pattimura military
commanders and former provincial police chiefs.
Maluku saw three military commanders and five police chiefs during the cycle of
bloodshed between Christians and Muslims who had once been friends and
neighbors. More than 6,000 were killed before peace came earlier this year.
Bito Temmar of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction
said he doubted the independency of the team, since it had to report the investigation
results to the government whereas "it is assigned to probe alleged involvement of
security personnel who actually are part of the government".
"I think the team has acknowledged that the conflict involved a separatist movement.
But I wonder why this kind of rebellion followed the sectarian conflict?" Bito asked,
referring to the South Maluku Republic (RMS) group and its military wing Maluku
Liberation Front (FKM).
Other legislators present included: Lutfy Sanaky and Fatimah Kilwouw of the United
Development Party (PPP) faction; Abdul Gani Salampessy of the Upholder faction;
Chris Sahetapy, Nico Putilehalat, Monica Balubun, and Max Maswekan of the PDI
Perjuangan faction and Max Pentury and Hendrik Seriholo of the Builder faction.
During the conflict in Ambon, the capital of Maluku, Jakarta sent about 9,800 military
troops there, not to mention hundreds of police personnel.
Nevertheless, the large number of security troops failed to restore security and order
in the region, partly because they fueled the conflict by siding with a certain group.
The arrival of Laskar Jihad's hardline Muslim volunteers complicated peace efforts.
Later on, the government said that separatist groups RMS/FKM had taken advantage
of the chaos.
In response to the demand, investigation team leader I Wayan Karya said the team
was established simply to find the facts.
"Therefore it has no authority to conduct investigations into alleged involvement of the
security personnel," he said.
But he admitted he understood that the legislators raised their demand following
accusations by many that the military had a vested interest to keep Ambon in a state
of civil war.
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