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 27, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 269
1. STANCE OF THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT – Jakarta based daily newspaper
"Kompas" in its edition of April 26, 2002, reports on the concern of the Central
Government regarding the recent disturbing events in Ambon, notably the raising of
the RMS flag at some places and the furious reaction of Muslims. Coordinating
Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meanwhile has
sent two additional Brimob Police Companies to Ambon. Yudhoyono declared to the
press that the actual development in Ambon has the incessant attention of the Central
Government. On learning about any unruly happening in the Moluccas he will
immediately g! ather the Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Yusuf Kalla, the
Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno, National Supreme Police Commander (Kapolri)
Da'i Bachtiar and Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Adm.Widodo A.S. in order to evaluate
the situation and take appropriate steps to face these challenges. He said in this
attitude he was confirmed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
2. AMBON YESTERDAY – Yesterday during the morning there was the usual
bustling activity in Ambon. However shortly after noon the security forces in Ambon
started to block several roads, among others the Pohon Pule bottleneck to Kudamati
and Benteng. Consequently the streets became more and more deserted. The reason
was the announced tabliq akbar ("religious" speech) by Jihad Leader Jafar Umar
Thalib in the afternoon.
The chairman of the GPM Synod, Dr. I.Hendriks once again stressed that the
Protestant Church of the Moluccas has no relation what so ever with the RMS and
has been consistent in this attitude ever since the RMS was established in 1950. So
the recent burning of the Silo church as a reaction to the RMS flag raising on last
April 25, does not make sense.
Meanwhile Governor M.S.Latuconsina declared that 27 people have been arrested in
connection with the recent RMS flag raising.
3. TABLIQ AKBAR – Jafar Umar Thalib's tabliq akbar started at 5.00 p.m. yesterday
and took place in the large front yard of the Al-Fatah Mosque. He did not spare
anybody, defiling everybody from the President down to the military. The Moluccas
Agreement of Malino was treason, the Governor a traitor etc. He urged a
no-reconciliation program and to wage war on the RMS Christians, to zealously
fabricate bombs etc. He was incessantly interrupted by endorsing shouting and
applause by the large Muslim crowd that attended the meeting.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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