The Jakarta Post, February 14, 2003
Seram people demand separate regencies
Aziz Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku
Hundreds of people in Seram greeted House of Representatives' legislators with a rally
to urge the lawmakers to support their demands for new regencies on Maluku island.
Bearing banners stating their desire for separate regencies in West Seram and East
Seram, the crowd asked for an unscheduled meeting with the legislators, who arrived
at Pattimura airport in Ambon from Jakarta for a visit to the Aru islands in Southeast
Maluku.
The meeting forced the legislators to delay their trip until Friday.
Representatives of the protesters insisted during the talks, which were held at the
Hotel Amans, that the House support their case, which they had been fighting for
since 1997. Some of the local people threatened to attack state assets and set an oil
well alight on Seram island, which is part of Central Maluku regency.
Manase Malo, who heads the House's nine-member team, asked the protesters to
remain calm and refrain from using violence.
"We will take the people's wishes into account and will bring their demands before a
House plenary session. We just need your moral support," said Manase, the
legislator in charge of the regional autonomy campaign.
The lawmakers are in Maluku to observe the implementation of regional autonomy,
which took effect on Jan. 1, 2001. Since then over 100 new regencies have been
formed, bringing the total number of regencies and municipalities to 410.
During the one-hour discussion, the local people also asked the legislators to visit
Bula district in the eastern part of Seram on Friday to meet more people who
supported the establishment of new regencies on the island.
Another legislator, M. Taher Saimima, said his team would put pressure on the
Central Maluku regent and councillors, Maluku provincial council, and governor to
accept the Seram people's demands.
Criticizing Maluku officials for a lack of good faith in responding to the people's
demands, Taher said the House would consider drafting an initiative bill on the
creation of new regencies in Seram.
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