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 23, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 266
GETTING READY FOR APRIL 25th – The annual commemoration of the RMS
Separatist Movement the day after tomorrow is being prognosticated in various ways:
1. COUNCILMAN FROM JAKARTA – Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono sent his secretary, Lieutenant General Sudi
Silalahi, to prove the central Government’s attention to the present situation in
Ambon. Today, in a meeting with the local newsmedia, Silalahi urged the reporters to
be aware of their responsibility in connection with the conflict and public security and
to present the real facts. Vice Governor Paula Renyaan, who was also present at this
meeting, acknowledged that the newsmedia often got to know various events earlier
than the authorities. On the same occasion she urged especially the residents of the
Christian neighbourhood of Kudamati, to which is attributed the reputation of being a
nest of FKM fans, not to panic and to go along with their ordinar daily business.
2. FKPM INSISTS ON PROTECTION – The Christian Forum Komunikasi Perempuan
Maluku (Moluccan Women’s Communication Forum) has urged the authorities to
provide special protection for women and children and for the elderly and ailing people,
now that we may be on the brink of an outbreak of violence wherein it is difficult to
predict from which quarter the storm will rage.
3. DEMONSTRATION – This afternoon once more there was a demonstration by
Christian youngsters in front of the Police HQ at Batumeja.
4. RUMOURS ABOUT HOISTING RMS FLAG IN TULEHU – It was said that in
Tulehu – mind: a Muslim village! – the RMS flag had been hoisted. Based on this
rumour, Christians even did not risk to pass through the Muslim neighbourhood of
Galunggung yesterday. On radio broadcast we heard the Police Chief Commander
declare that nothing of the kind had happened, though he acknowledged that the
allegation was still being checked upon. He said that recently there was a football
match in nearby Suli, in which the Tulehu team brought along their team flag, which
happens to bear colours that are similar to the RMS flag. So some people may have
mistakenly thought it to be the banned flag.
5. FKM WORLDWIDE – We were honoured to find in our mailbox a Press Release in
English by the “World Wide Network Front Kedaulatan Maluku” (FKM). It was
addressed to Leaders of the Print and Electronic Media, the Leaders of Human Rights
Organizations, the Leaders of Friendly and Democratic Countries, and to Individuals
involved in Human Rights Issues. It was signed by FKM Jakarta Chairman Drs.Luis
Risakotta, FKM Europe Chairman Umar Santi (a Muslim!) and FKM USA Chairman
Drs. Helmi Wattimena. It was titled “Establishment of a Militia to Defend for
Indonesia (NKRI) in the Moluccas” (NKRI stands for Negara Kesatuan Republik
Indonesia = the Undivided State of the Republic of Indonesia). It says that the civil
emergency authority on April 19th had established a militia, consisting of a bunch of
hoodlums led by a Bertie Loupatty in order to defend the NKRI. They are assumed to
create public disorder, so that the military has an excuse to slaughter the FKM
supporters. Etc. Etc.
6. THE “ELEVEN” TEAM – Christians feel betrayed now that Alex Manuputty is in
detention whereas the Group of Eleven goes free. Meant is the group of eleven
Muslims, calling themselves “Forum Musyawarah Umat Muslim Maluku” =
Moluccas Muslim Meeting Forum (See Report 241 – Febr 24, 2002), that (also)
ostensibly oppose the Moluccas Agreement of Malino.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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