MISNA - Missionary Service News Agency, 15/4/2003 17:24
Indonesia
Moluccas: Alertness Towards Commemoration Of Declaration Of
Independency
Politics/Economy, Standard
A state of alert has been proclaimed in Ambon (administrative capital of the Moluccas
archipelagos, Indonesia) in view of 25 April, when the 53 commemoration of the
declaration of independency of the South Moluccas (RMS – Republik Maluku
Selatan)will be celebrated).
The Christians with the support of the government of the ex Dutch colony 53 years
ago, founded this political organism and fought for its independence from the rest of
Indonesia, after being defeated.
Despite this, the Moluccans entered to form part of the Indonesian Republic, but up
until today a Christian separatist movement has existed, the FKM (Front Kedaulatan
Maluku - Self-government Front of the Moluccas).
Every year, in coincidence with the anniversary of the Southern Moluccas Republic,
the activists of the FKM – not recognized by the local Church – try to brandish the
flags of the RMS, a gesture which is punished with severity by the local authorities.
Fearing that similar episodes can reoccur this year, military and police forces from
Ambon have already been put on alert. In particular, report local press, the attention is
concentrated on the small Island of Haruku, east of Ambon, considered to be a real
and true alcove of the separatists. In the past few days policemen and military
soldiers were deployed to the area to carry out the necessary controls.
Meanwhile the Bishop of Ambon. Monsignor Petrus Canisius Mandagi, launched an
appeal "to the entire population, including the religious leaders and laymen as well as
the mass media, to collaborate with the local security forces to avoid the hoisting of
the RMS flag". Recalling of never ever having supported the RMS, Bishop Mandagi
specified that the Christians and their leaders are relentlessly accused of kindling and
propagating RMS aspirations.
"In case there might be any RMS flag hoisting on or around next April 25th and it can
be proved that it is done by a Christian, then it is on this person's own responsibility,
and in no way he may be considered to represent any of his fellow Christians", said
Bishop Mandagi. Nevertheless, the Christians and their leaders are relentlessly
accused of kindling and propagating RMS aspirations.
In case there might be any RMS flag hoisting on or around next April 25th and it can
be proved th at it is done by a Christian, then it is on this person's own responsibility,
and in no way he may be considered to represent any of his fellow Christians.
This archipelago has been theatre to a conflict between Christians and Muslims that
started in 1999 and officially ended in Spring of 2002. The Muslims accused the FKM
of fomenting the hostilities and the Christians accused the guerrillas of the movement
'Laskar Jihad', which arrived in the the archipelagos in the year 2000 and departed in
October last year.
In the past few months the leaders of FKM, Alex Manuputty and Semmy Waeleruny,
were arrested and then transferred to the Indonesian capital Jakarta, where they shall
serve a three-year jail sentence for subversion. Instead the leader of Laskar Jihad,
Ja'afar Umar Thalib, was first incriminated and then absolved by every accusation last
30 January. [BP]
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