The Jakarta Post, January 17, 2007
Maluku govt offices burn in suspected arson attack
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
Six government offices in Saumlaki, the capital of Southeast West Maluku regency,
Maluku, were burned down Tuesday morning in what is believed to have been a
politically motivated attack.
Those responsible for the arson attack on the six offices, all located in the same
building, are thought to have been protesting the inauguration later in the day of
Bitzael Salvester Temmar and Barnabas Orno as the new regent and deputy regent of
Southeast West Maluku for the 2006-2011 term.
The local industry, trade and economy, agricultural, tourism, land affairs, mining
resources and regional development planning offices were damaged in the incident.
"The attack was conducted by an unidentified group of people and is thought to have
had something to do with the planned inauguration of the new regent and deputy
regent," regency police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Rudi Yuswanto said.
He said there had been numerous protests by those opposed to the results of the
Southeast West Maluku regency election. The officer said protests had taken place
against Temmar and Orno, who were nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle, in Saumlaki, Ambon and even in Jakarta.
All of the damaged offices were located next to the Southeast West Maluku
Legislative Council building, where the inauguration of Temmar and Orno took place
later in the day, Rudi said.
He said police were looking for the perpetrators.
"We have not yet been able to identify the perpetrators. Up to 12 witnesses have been
questioned. The number of witnesses will likely increase" as the investigation
expands, he said.
Security in Saumlaki had been stepped up since Monday in anticipation of the
inauguration. Local police, backed my members of the police's elite Mobile Brigade,
were deployed at the main entrances to the city, particularly Saumlaki Port.
On Monday security officials drove away at least 500 supporters of defeated regent
candidates. They arrived at Saumlaki in seven boats, but were prevented from entering
the city. Up to 50 of the supporters have been detained by police.
At the same time, thousands of supporters of the regent-elect have gathered in
Saumlaki. "In order to prevent any clashes between the two groups, we intensified
security and prevented protesters from entering the city," officer Rudi said.
The arson attack early Tuesday did not prevent Maluku Governor Karel Albert
Ralahalu from inaugurating Temmar and Orno later in the day.
Under extremely tight security, the inauguration took place with no problems.
Afterward, Governor Ralahalu asked the police to solve the arson attack.
Izak Tiwery, a member of the campaign team of losing regent candidate Lucas
Uwuratuw, expressed concern Tuesday over the police measures to prevent
protesters from entering the city and making their voices heard.
He said people had the right to express their opinions. "The (police) measures violate
democracy."
Losing candidates from the regent election filed a court case, accusing Temmar and
Orno of vote buying and poll rigging. In November 2006, the Maluku High Court
dismissed the case of Temmar and Orno, clearing the way for their inauguration.
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