The Jakarta Post, November 17, 2006
Maluku chiefs form council to foster reconciliation
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
Maluku's traditional chiefs, or latupati, have formed a council to assist in reconciling
the local Muslim and Christian communities, who were involved in a violent conflict
several years ago.
The Maluku Latupati Council was established following a two-day meeting that ended
Tuesday in Ambon. The meeting was sponsored by the Peace Building Institute.
Abdullah Malawat, the traditional chief of the Mamala region in Central Maluku
regency, was named chairman of the council, which represents the province's 627
traditional chiefs.
He told The Jakarta Post the council's main task was to maintain peace among
Maluku's different communities, including religious communities.
He said the council would assist the government in working with residents to develop
the conflict-torn region.
"We must remember the human tragedy that happened before. But more importantly,
we must find ways to reconcile and respect our differences, and develop the people of
Maluku into one," said Malawat, who will head the council for the next three years.
Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu is confident the traditional leaders will be able
to assist the government in implementing post-conflict programs, as well as helping to
maintain peace and security.
"The council can act as a shield to protect against attempts by parties that wish to
destroy us again," he said.
Speaking separately, Peace Building Institute director Ichsan Malik said the past
religious conflict in Maluku had caused massive losses of life and property.
He said compared to conflicts in Aceh, Papua and Poso in Central Sulawesi, the
conflict in Maluku was much more intense and deadly.
"In just two years there were four times as many fatalities in the Maluku conflict than
in the 23-year conflict in Aceh," Ichsan said. "The number of casualties in Maluku
reached 9,000 from 1999 to 2001. That's a shocking figure."
He said the violence in Maluku was also different from the struggle in Aceh, because
in Maluku residents were fighting fellow residents over differences of faith.
"That is more drastic, psychologically speaking. We have been carrying out a peace
process since 2002 ... to mend rifts and it has proven to be effective," Ichsan said.
He said the peace that has been achieved in Maluku had much to do with traditional
leaders as well as local customs and traditions, such as the pela-gandong, or family
relationships between mixed-faith villages.
But the traditional village system, which has been maintained for centuries, was
damaged when the 1979 Village Administration Law was introduced. This law made it
easier for the central or provincial government to meddle in village affairs.
"The traditional village system was tainted, but fortunately the basic philosophy has
remained intact, and now we are trying to revitalize these values," Ichsan said.
He encouraged the new council to remain neutral and to set aside its own political
interests, for the good of all of Maluku.
"The establishment of the council is meant to ensure reconciliation and tolerance in
the post-conflict period among the villages in Maluku ... as well as to boost economic
growth," Ichsan said.
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