The Jakarta Post, May 01, 2002
House Speaker says martial law should be imposed in Maluku
JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Akbar Tandjung suggested on Tuesday the
government consider implementing martial law in strife-torn Maluku in a bid to speed
up efforts to restore peace to the province.
Speaking to the media at the House, Akbar asserted that, "it's time for the
government to consider the implementation of martial law".
"We are hoping for a more secure situation in the area soon," Akbar said, adding that
effective measures in restoring order and maintaining peace must be done in
accordance with the implementation of Malino's peace pact, signed in early in
February.
Akbar added that Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina had failed to take effective
measures to restore peace.
"The enactment of martial law could be done based on the State of Emergency Law
No. 23/1959. That regulation gives strong legal grounds for the military and the police
to carry out their duties," Akbar said.
Separately, chairman of the Indonesian Nation and Unity (FKKI) faction in the House
Sutradara Gintings, said that it was vital for there to be sufficient political and legal
grounds to support the military in elevating the status of civil emergency.
"This is important so that the military will not be hampered by human rights issues
when they perform their tasks in bringing security, peace and order in Maluku,"
Sutradara said.
He added the government must act resolutely. "Do not hesitate to make decisions.
The most important thing is to stop the bloodshed and avoid more civilian casualties,"
Sutradara said, adding that two years of civil emergency administration in Malukuhad
not resulted in any obvious results or reconciliation in the province.
Over three years of bloody conflicts in Maluku and North Maluku have claimed more
than 9,000 lives and driven 500,000 from their homes.
Analysts claim the existence of outsiders meddling in the conflict, such as Muslim
extremists Laskar Jihad, have only worsened the situation.
The government, under then president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, tried to stop
Laskar Jihad from entering the territory but to no avail. Laskar Jihad, however, have
defended theiractivities in the islands, saying they want to support their fellow
Muslims in the conflict. (edt)
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