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, April 6, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 256
1. FURTHER DETAILS ON RECENT EVENTS – Many people accuse the Governor
that by delaying the dead-line of voluntary surrendering of weaponry by civilians –
postponing it to April 30 – he triggered the bomb explosion and the subsequent
burning of the Government Office Building by frustrated people. However, the Governor
declared on local TV, that this delay was not contrary to the Moluccas Agreement of
Malino – which in fact had fixed May 31 as the final date for voluntary surrendering of
weaponry. By cutting two months he had hoped to see people’s reaction and to
speed up the reconciliation process.
2. WITNESSES HEARD – According to Chief Police Commander Soenarko Danu
Arianto, nine witnesses on the bomb blast are being examined by the police. No
suspects have been detained up to now. He asked the people of Ambon to trust the
Police to do their job thoroughly. He also asked to provide any further information that
can lead to the culprits’ arrest.
3. VICTIMS OF THE EXPLOSION – The death-toll of the bomb explosion last April
3, meanwhile has risen to seven. Those wounded number 52. Many had to have one
or both legs or feet amputated. Pauline Joel-Parera (observer in Ambon) reports that
the only Muslim victim, Wa Ratna (43), who at the moment of the explosion with her
christian friend Mrs. Etty Manusama-Lawalatta (40) was shopping at the nearby
Labora Jeweler’s, lost her left leg, whereas Etty had both legs amputated.
4. REBUILDING THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE – The Governor has ordered to test
the concrete pillars of the burned Governor’s Office Building: whether they are still
strong enough to allow rehabilitation instead of rebuilding. Construction activities
should start as soon as possible.
Much damage could have been avoided – he said – if only appropriate fire extinguish
appliances were available. However, of the four local fire-cars, three do not function
properly and have to be replaced by new units as soon as possible.
Many people feel uncomfortable that the common people are regarded as the
incendiaries of the Government Building, whereas it might just have been set up by
certain malicious elements that want the conflict to go on. It hardly makes sense that
the arson happened that fast and was carried out so easily.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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