The Jakarta Post, May 20, 2002
Ambon Muslims surrender weapons
Oktianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
A group of Muslims in the Maluku provincial capital of Ambon on Sunday surrendered
a large quantity of weapons and explosives to the security authorities in what they
called a gesture of goodwill to end the prolonged conflict that has claimed 6,000 lives
and displaced more than 750,000 people over the last three years.
The Forum for Muslim Maluku Brotherhood, including members of the extreme
Lasykar Jihad group, surrendered one cannon, one MK-3 250 bomb, 100 petrol
bombs, 15 homemade guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, sabers and
bayonets. The guns included standard weapons used by the Indonesian Military (TNI).
The weapons were handed over to Brig. Gen. Mustopo, chief of the Pattimura Military
Command, by the Forum's chairman Muhammad Attamimi at a ceremony in Kebun
Cengkeh subdistrict in the city.
Attamimi said the weapons were only part of what they possessed and that the
security authorities should also be serious in dealing with both the South Maluku
Republic (RMS) secessionist movement and the proindependence Maluku
Sovereignty Forum (FKM).
AFP reported that Mustopo welcomed the weapons surrender and pledged that the
military would support the government's move "to safeguard the unitary state of the
Republic of Indonesia," against any attempts at secession.
Abdul Hadi, spokesman for Laskar Jihad in Ambon, said that his group would take
part in the weapons surrender although he provided no details.
He said that the move was in response to a call by Vice President Hamzah Haz.
Haz, who also chairs the largest Muslim party, this month visited detained Laskar
Jihad commander Jaffar Umar Thalib, sparking strong criticism from politicians and
legislators.
An unidentified group attacked the Christian village of Soya, south of Ambon, on April
28, killing 13 people. The authorities accused Thalib of having incited the massacre
during a sermon.
Hadi said the surrender of the weapons was decided upon in view of the government's
progress in meeting the militia's demand for an investigation into the mainly Christian
Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM), which it accuses of fomenting the sectarian
violence.
Police last week flew FKM leaders Alex Manuputty and Semmy Waileruni to Jakarta
for questioning. The FKM supports the RMS.
Manuputty was questioned on Saturday on charges of subversion linked to the raising
of the outlawed RMS flag in Ambon on April 25, the anniversary of the founding of the
RMS.
Muslims and Christians in the Maluku islands have fought a bitter civil war over the
past three years, leaving thousands dead.
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
