The Jakarta Post, May 03, 2006
Former East Timorese refugees in Maluku neglected by govt
M. Azis Tunny , The Jakarta Post, Ambon
At least 700 heads of families of former East Timorese refugees, who fled to Maluku
after a referendum in East Timor in 1999, have been neglected by the government, one
of their representatives said Tuesday.
The government has not given the same treatment to those who fled to Maluku as
compared to East Timorese refugees living in other regions like East Nusa Tenggara,
Inuhan, the chairman of the Ambon chapter of the East Timorese political victims
commission, said.
"We feel sidelined and neglected by the Maluku provincial administration and the
central government," Inuhan said.
Inuhan's complaint was acknowledged by Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu, who
proposed that the central government set aside funds for the East Timorese refugees,
many of whose ancestors are from Maluku, who have been neglected especially after
violence broke out in Maluku in 1999.
East Timorese political refugees who left East Timor following the referendum which
led to the separation of East Timor from Indonesia are scattered throughout a number
of regencies in Maluku, including West Southeast Maluku, Southeast Maluku and
Ambon.
"They will be given assistance like other refugees from East Timor. Hopefully the aid
will be received soon," Karel said.
Inuhan explained that he, together with other former East Timorese, decided to leave
during the referendum to join Indonesia.
AR Soemena, an assistant to the Maluku provincial secretariat, said that a meeting
with representatives of the central government on the refugee issue concluded that the
matter would be handled by the home minister through the director general of national
unity and people's protection.
"The governor has sent two letters to the social services minister, but has not received
any response," he said.
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