The Jakarta Post, April 17, 2003
RMS supporters warned of subversion
Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku
Maluku authorities renewed their warning against the South Maluku Republic (RMS)
separatist movement, saying strong measures would be taken against those
supporting for RMS and its affiliate, the Maluku Sovereignty Forum (FKM), in
observance of the separatist movement's 54th anniversary on April 24.
"We will take immediate harsh action against any organizations or individuals
providing political and financial support to either RMS and FKM, if the current
persuasive approach is found to be ineffective," said Maj. Gen. Agustadi, commander
of the operation to restore security and order in the province, on Wednesday.
Agustadi was responding to the incident on Tuesday, when an RMS flag was raised in
front of an elementary school in Kudamati, a stronghold of the RMS, in the Maluku
province's capital of Ambon, despite a recent ban by acting governor Herman Sinyo
Sarundayang.
He said the police would investigate the incident, after a man was arrested and
questioned in connection to the case.
"So far, no group or individual has claimed responsibility for raising the flag; so the
police will continue to investigate," he said.
Agustadi, who is also chief of the Pattimura Military Command overseeing security in
Maluku and North Maluku, said that security authorities had disseminated circulars in
RMS strongholds in the province via helicopter, calling on the people not to celebrate
the secessionist movement's anniversary because it was against the law.
"Those breaching the rule will face subversion charges," he added, and said that a
team of security personnel had already been deployed to increase security in RMS
strongholds, in anticipation of a possible anniversary celebration.
Last year, dozens of FKM supporters, including FKM chairman Alex Manuputty, were
arrested for raising the RMS flag in celebrating the movement's 53rd anniversary.
The South Jakarta District Court sentenced Manuputty to three years imprisonment
for subversion; Manuputty is filing an appeal with the Jakarta High Court.
The revival of the RMS over the last three years has been an obstacle to the
restoration of security and order and the implementation of the Malino peace
agreement, which was drawn up to end the sectarian conflict that broke out on Jan.
19, 1999. More than 6,000 people have been killed and around 750,000 others have
been displaced during the conflict.
The extreme group Laskar Jihad has defended the presence of its militiamen in the
province to repel the separatist movement, which is reported to have won the support
of the Christian faction in Maluku.
So far, the civilian state of emergency imposed in July 2001 has yet to be lifted
because of the sporadic violence in the province. The central government has also
delayed the gubernatorial election in Maluku for the same reason.
The next two years will be a crucial period for the province, particularly in regards its
planned gubernatorial election and the 2004 Indonesian general elections.
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