HTML pages designed & maintained by Alifuru67 Copyright © 1999/2000 - 1364283024 & 1367286044		Want to Help? CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337 E-mail: comamq@ambon.wasantara.net.id Ambon, April 28, 2001 THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 167 1. DEMONSTRATION ANTI-FKM As we reported yesterday, there was an outcry of protest from the side of muslim crowds following the hoisting of the RMS flag in Kudamati, Ambon, last April 25. The several hundreds of muslims that from the neighbourhood of Batumerah came up to the governor s office building, even accused the Chief Military Commander and the Governor (as the Responsible for the Civil Emergency State), that they had entreated the FKM (Front Kedaulatan Maluku) to perform the flag ceremony. However, on April 17 the Governor had already sent an official letter to Dr. Alex Manuputty, leader of the FKM, that this or any action or activity of the FKM would not be tolerated. During this demonstration yesterday morning up to noon the security forces intervened to prevent the crowd entering the governor s office building compound. Then some of these muslims and some christian onlookers started to throw stones at each other, which went on for about 15 minutes. The ensuing gunfire (in the air?) of the military resulted in one muslim and one christian being seriously wounded (not killed, as we reported yesterday), though these two may also have been victims of snipers. At several places in town, among others at the destroyed Silo Church site, not far for the Pohon Puleh bridge, the sound of exploding bombs was heard. This bridge was closed by the military for any traffic and pedestrians, but was opened up again later that afternoon. No need to tell that the situation in the whole town grew tense. Many office assistants hurried home, parents came to meet their children at the schools etc. 2. GOVERNOR RECEIVES MUSLIM DELEGATION A seven-member delegation of the muslim crowd was allowed to enter the building and meet with the governor. The leader of this delegation, Yusuf Elly, demanded the governor to take stern measures against this RMS movement, saying: Actually it is not easy for us to make adequate distinction between these RMS people and other christian brothers, who disagree with any separatist action. So you must arrest those RMS people, including those who hoisted that flag. Meanwhile the muslim crowd chanted national hymns from afar, standing near the town police station (locally called the pos kota ), thus proving their loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia. The delegation was afterwards joined by a three member delegation from the Young Muslims of Batumerah, who expressed their amazement that the nineteen battalions of military that are stationed in Ambon, had not been able to prevent this RMS event to happen. 3. LETTER OF ARREST The Governor of the Maluku has issued a letter in which he instructs the Chief Police Commander, Brigader General Firman Gani, to arrest immediately the activists that are coordinated in the FKM because of their hoisting of the RMS flag on April 25. The letter is dated April 28, 2001. No commentary on this instruction could be obtained from Mr. Firman Gani by local reporters. The Governor also urged the local newsmedia by means of an official letter, to abstain from any newscovering on FKM activities or any (other) separatistic activities. 4. STANCE OF FKM LEADER Dr. Alex Manuputty, leader of the Front Kedaulatan Maluku, declared to the press that yesterday he was told by police deputees who came to his house, that he was summoned to report at the local police headquarters next Monday, April 30. However this summons was not in writ. Not long after he said he was summoned by telephone to report immediately at the police headquarters. So, accompanied by some allies, he left to go there. However, coming at the Pohon Puleh Bridge, he found it closed for anyone to pass& So he decided just to go back home. Apart from this unlucky stumbling, Mr. Manuputty declared to Siwalima newspaper that he wants any juridical proceedings to be open and transparant for the whole Ambon community. He said: Let the Governor not hesitate to make use of an international juridical expert WE have already one. Any incrimination that we are delinquents, will quickly be solved . He also said that he had informed the Dutch government about the process that was to be held against the FKM and that they had received answer that any wrongdoing towards to the FKM, would result in international sanctions. He further declared that it was most unacceptable that the sincere struggle of the FKM would be forbidden whereas at the same time the presence of the Laskar Jihad is being allowed disregarding all of their destructive activities towards the people of the Moluccas. Meanwhile Mr. Semmy Waeleruny, head of the juridical department of the FKM, declared to the press that he noticed kind of extraordinary conspiration among the political elite and intellectuals in the Moluccas who in a most inaccurate way compare the FKM with the Laskar Jihad. He said: The struggle of the FKM is one for sovereignty, truth and justice now that the Indonesian Government has failed to uphold Human Rights of the people of the Moluccas. So in fact this government should held the FKM in high esteem and not look upon it as a depraved organistation. We are not like the Laskar Jihad, we never exhort to chase people from their grounds or to slaughter people, or even to force people to leave their religion for another religion. All this is being done by the Laskar Jihad. So why comparing us with the Laskar Jihad? The FKM is opposed to any violence. 5. STANCE OF THE CHURCHES We are sometimes asked by foreign newsmedia what is the vision of the Catholic Church on the FKM or on any separatist aspirations. Its stance is very clear. The Church opposes for the full 100% any dissident or separatist movements or aspirations. We are convinced that all of the local Protestant Churches and Denominations have the same attitude. 6. DISSOLVEMENT OF THE TPG Perhaps in order to prove that the Moluccan Protestant Church (GPM / Gereja Protestan Maluku) disapproves of the FKM, it has been decided to break up the TPG within short. During its two years existence, the TPG was coordinated by Mr. Semmy Waeleruny. However, this person now turns out to be also the head of the juridical department of the FKM. For the moment being, daily activities of the TPG have become the responsibility of a Simon Noya. In order to continue certain activities in relation to the unrest, the GPM will erect a Crisis Centre similar to the Crisis Centre of the Diocese of Amboina, but probably with much more stress on juridical proceedings. The chairman of the GPM, Minister Hendriks, said: We will focus on the strive for reestablishing humanitarian values . 7. NEW LEADER OF THE CHRISTIAN GRASS ROOTS As the new leader of the christian grass roots of Kudamati replacing the deceased Agus Wattimena has emerged Ir. Melkianus Tuhumuri, nicknamed Ucu (pronounced as Utju). C.J.Böhm MSc, Secretary of Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Copyright © 1999-2001  - Ambon Berdarah On-Line * http://www.go.to/ambon HTML pages designed and maintained by Alifuru67 * http://www.oocities.org/maluku67 Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com