CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 – Ambon 97124 – Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, May 1, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 273
CIVIL EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD WITHDRAW – Up to now the Civil
Emergency Administrator, governor M.S.Latuconsina, has not been available for any
commentary on recent events. John Mailoa, deputy chairman of the Ambon House of
Representatives (DPRD Kota Ambon), declared that the Governor should
acknowledge at last that he has failed as the Responsible for the Civil Emergency
State and should withdraw as the Governor of the Moluccas. The President then could
appoint a caretaking Governor. No objection if this caretaker would be recruited from
the military.
STANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL – The Ambon House of Representatives
expressed its disappointment on the recent surge of violence in Ambon. It denounces
the flag hoisting on and after last April 25, it utterly condemns the savage slaughtering
of human beings in Soya and the burning of the village. It reminds the government that
the Moluccas Agreement of Malino also involved the government as partner with full
responsibility. The 35 members intend to leave for Jakarta (on everybody’s own
expense!) to meet with the President.
ARRIVAL OF ASSISTANCE TEAM – The government in Jakarta has despatched a
special four member team to Ambon to assist the Governor and his closest aides in
their efforts to end the conflict in the Moluccas. This team is composed of senior
functionaries from Police, Army, Home Affairs Department and Prosecution Counsel.
It arrived in Ambon on Monday, April 29. One of its members, retired military officer
Syamsiar W., while interviewed on TV, explained the purpose of their coming. They
have hotline connection with the government in Jakarta in order to report on the
situation in Ambon and on local proceedings in coping with the unrest. He said they
had already advised the governor to take uncompromising measures towards those
that try to continue the conflict.
MILITARY EMERGENCY STATE? – Cabinet Minister Yudhoyono and other
authorities in Jakarta, while pondering to replace the Civil Emergency State in the
Moluccas by a Military Emergency State, acknowledged that to that end they needed
the advice of the Civil Emergeny Administrator of the Moluccas and of the Assistance
Team that recently was dispatched to Ambon. John Mailoa probably verbalizes the
general feeling of the Moluccans by pronouncing his conviction that there is no need
to apply the Military Emergency State.
SHOULD NOT JAFAR BE ARRESTED? – The Joint Investigation Team is ready to
arrest and interrogate Jafar Umar Thalib on his recent provoking tabliq akbar, if only it
is ordered to do so by the Civil Emergency Administrator – thus was stated by its
chairman Johny Tangkudung. Asked how he possibly could expect to be able to
arrest Jafar when even minor conspicuous opponents of the Moluccas Agreement like
Muhammad Atamimi and Abdullah Latuapo could not be laid hands on, he only
answered that they would try and do their best.
National Police Chief General Da’i Bachtiar said that investigation will be done on
Jafar Umar Tahilb’s tabliq akbar speech in Ambon on Friday April 26, by the
Assistance Team that recently arrived in Ambon.
Meanwhile Semmy Waeleruny, judiciary leader of the Front Kedaulatan Maluku
defending the rights of the RMS, has been indicated as defendant; his case will be
brought to court as soon as possible – said Johny Tangkudung.
SPEEDBOAT SHOT AT – At about 8.00 a.m. on Tuesday April 30, speedboat Melios
with (Christian) passengers travelling in the Bay of Ambon from Benteng to Galala,
was shot at by another speedboat. Accompanying Brimob and Marine servicemen
answered by firing at the attacking speedboat which thereupon fled to safety.
MYSTERIOUS INTRUDERS – At several places in and around Ambon (Batumeja,
Gonzalo Veloso, Kayu-Putih etc.) unidentified intruders in military outfit enter the
christian areas (maybe also in muslim areas?) for nocturnal visits, thereby terrifying
the local residents and causing the male population to be on the alert with any
weaponry that might not have been surrendered yet. It is said that several of them
have been arrested, even have been saved from being lynched. Last time this
phenomenon happened was during May-June 2001.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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