The Jakarta Post, July 29, 2002
Ambon returns to normal after powerful bomb blast
Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
Life returned to normal in Ambon on Sunday, a day after a powerful bomb blast injured
at least 53 Christians in Ambon.
On Sunday morning, churches around the city were full with worshipers, including at
Bethel church just 20 meters from the bomb site in Kudamati area, Sirimau
subdistrict.
Except for the bomb site, which police officers have cordoned off, kiosks and window
panes shattered by the explosion have been cleaned up.
Meanwhile, security officers have stepped up their activities since the explosion,
conducting identification card checks and security operations in a number of areas,
including Batugantung, Pohon Pule, Trikora, Urimesing, Aster and the border of
Batumerah and Mardika.
Public transportation services also returned to normal, with public passenger cars
passing through the warring communities as usual.
"People are no longer provoked by this kind of thing. They have learned that this kinds
of provocation is conducted for the interests of certain groups," Muslim leader Abdul
Aziz Fidmatan said on Sunday.
Saturday's attack was the first major incident since the warring Muslims and
Christians signed a peace deal during government-sponsored talks in Malino, South
Sulawesi in February.
The explosion took place outside a supermarket building located in a predominantly
Christian community, injuring at least 53 people, including several babies.
On Sunday, some of the injured were still undergoing intensive treatment at several
hospitals in Ambon. None of them were believed to be in a critical condition.
Some of the victims were reported to have left the hospitals on Sunday.
In Jakarta, Vice President Hamzah Haz suggested the recent explosion was intended
to create chaos ahead of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Annual Session.
"There are some people who are trying to destabilize the situation ahead of the
Annual Session," Hamzah said after the closing ceremony of the Nahdlatul Ulama
(NU) congress here Sunday.
The MPR will hold its Annual Session from Aug. 1 till Aug. 10, in which its members
are expected to endorse a fourth set of amendments to the country's Constitution.
Hamzah, who is also chairman of the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP),
also criticized security personnel in Ambon, saying that they were not consistent in
handling the situation.
Hamzah did not elaborate further, saying: "I will ask for an explanation from security
authorities there."
He also called for stern measures against the perpetrators.
Ambon has been plagued by a religious conflict which has claimed more than 6,000
lives since it broke out in January 1999.
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