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South China Morning Post, Saturday, October 20, 2001
'Hidden agenda' in trial of separatist leader
By Vaudine England
The trial of a separatist leader in Ambon, the capital of Indonesia's Maluku islands, that began yesterday had a hidden political agenda, analysts said.
Alex Manuputty was charged with raising a pro-independence flag at his home on April 25, and is being tried in a public session guarded by hundreds of extra police and troops.
Manuputty heads the Front for a Sovereign Maluku, and aims to set up the Republic of South Maluku. His flag-raising effort was brief and symbolic.
About six thousand Malukans have died in communal and religious fighting, and tens of thousands of displaced people are only just returning to their homes. In this context, the real reason for Manuputty's prosecution was more complex, one sociologist claimed.
"It's not that separatism is really considered a threat in Ambon these days, but by talking about that, the authorities hope to distract us from the activities of the Laskar Jihad," he said.
He said efforts to rid the Maluku islands of militant Islamic group Laskar Jihad had petered out several months ago at the same time as army propaganda sought to raise the profile of the alleged separatist threat.
This served the dual purpose of justifying a continuation of emergency rule in the islands, which involved a heavy troop presence, as well as giving a just cause to Islamic militants there.
The militants claim Maluku's Christians are fuelled by separatism and therefore must be expelled or killed. Uniformed men have been seen helping Laskar Jihad militants attack Christian areas.
Western sources claimed Middle Eastern and other foreigners had been seen backing the Laskar Jihad's attacks.
Laskar Jihad leader Jafar Umar Thalib was arrested for his followers' activities, but then released.
Manuputty was arrested at the same time and was also released but is now facing trial, raising the question why his insignificant group is being targeted while Laskar Jihad operates a welcome desk at Ambon airport.
"It's pretty obvious. No one dares to touch the Laskar Jihad, but it's OK to nab a guy who lacks serious backing and explain away a lot of brutality against Christians in the process," said a Western diplomat.
The head of the Ambon prosecutors' office, Saiya, told state news agency Antara that judges in Manuputty's trial came from outside the province and the three prosecutors included a Hindu, a Muslim and a Protestant "to anticipate any unwanted things that may harm the recently conducive security situation".
Received via email from: MM @ Ambon@yahoogroups.com
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