KOMPAS, Monday, 13 May 2002
Simultaneous Rehabilitation Program In Ambon Recommended
Bombs Are Still A Real Threat In Ambon
Ambon, Kompas Online - Parliament's Commission I team member, Ishak
Latuconsina who went to Ambon emphasized that reconcilliation attempts in the form
of a rehabilitation program outside conflict handling, has to be done simultaneously.
Development has to go on to provide the people security and hope that conditions in
Ambon are on the mend Before leaving Ambon Sunday morning (12/5), Ishak
Latuconsina told Kompas that seizure of all forms of conflict and violence are given
first priority and a just but stern law enforcement as well.
The entire rehabilitation program should run simultaneously in preparation for a return
to "normal" life of the people, a life that they used to live before unrest took over.
"If development has shown results, people would certainly regret to destroy it," said
Latuconsina.
Security is still not wholly restored. Sunday afternoon, another bomb blast ripped the
peaceful atmosphere apart when citizens of the Diponegoro area, Urimessing Village,
District Sirimau were conducting excercises with the Infantry Batalion 741 Udayana's
Task Force. One of the batalion men, Private Erdiono got injured when he got hit by
bomb shrapnel.
Security troops combing the surroundings of the site have held seven people who have
been charged with illegal arms posession and explosives.
According to the Chief Spokesman of the Military District Command XVI/Pattimura,
Major herry Suhardi, a bomb was unexpectedly thrown by an unidentified person.
Shooting between the military and this group took briefly place.
According to an information source, one of the local military district command
fighters, First Private Didi Bintara (28) who happens to live in the area was hit inthe
stomach.
The incident briefly attracted the crowd's attention around the Pohon Puleh bridge.
The traffic coming from Manggadua, for instance, could not move further to the Tugu
Trikora area. Even so, Herry Suhardi said that until Sunday evening, security troops
succeeded in tempering down tensions that were built up gradually during the day.
In stages
In Ambon, Commander Military District Command XVI/Pattimura, Brigadier General
Mustopo was quoted by Antara, that members of the Holy War organization in
Moluccas have to have a tactic and strategies.
Earlier, the Authority of Central Civil Emergency requested its counterpart in
Moluccas to start taking legal steps that will lead to the Holy War organization's
exodus and dispersal of the Moluccas Sovereignty Front, and the South Moluccas
Republic's as well. Government plans to oust the Holy War organization from
Moluccas is not going to solve the problem, according to the Communication Front
Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
FKM Chairman, Alexander Manuputty and 16 of his followers were taken in custody
by the Military District Police of Batalion XVI Pattimura. The Commander of the Holy
War (Laskar Jihad) organization, Ustadz Ja'far Umar Thalib is detained at Police
Headquarters.
After Vice President Hamzah Haz' visit to Ja'far, the Minister of Religion, Said Aqil
Husin Al Munawar went to Police Headquarters to see Ustadz Ja'far Umar Thalib
around 06.00 who is in custody of the Detective Police Unit.
The Team of Moslem Defence Lawyers (TPM) have been waiting until Sunday evening
for approval of their request tohat would change Ustadz Ja'far's detention to city arrest.
TPM's Ahmad Michdan said that until Sunday afternoon no positive sign could be
detected that their request in favor of Ja'far's condition had been approved by the
Police. Meanwhile, their client is scheduled to open and to give guidance at the
National Work Congress of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaah which is slated to open at
10.00.
Michdan said, TPM will proceed its efforts until Ja'far Umar Thalib's status has been
changed, or at least be able to attend the National Work Committee on May 23 in
future.
Even though the training Chairman of the Communication Forum Ahlu Sunnah Wal
Jamaah (FKAWJ) has been detained, the National Work Conference that according to
plan will be opened by Vice President Hamzah Haz, will go on this Monday.
No influence
The Chief Spokesman of Police Headquarters, Edward Aritonang, confirmed the
Minister of Religion's visit to Ustadz Ja'far. According to Aritonang, Ja'far Umar Thalib
is allowed to receive visitors, whoever they may be and whenever they may like to see
him. It would not deter the ongoing legal processing of the respective Holy War
Commander.
"The Police is under no pressure from anyone. Legal process of the suspect is still
going on," said Aritonang who disclosed that the Director General for Crime, Brigadier
General Aryanto Sutadi has accompanied the Minister of Religion during his visit to
Ja'far Umar Thalib.
Ahmad Michdan drew attention on the Minister of Religion's visit to Ja'far which the
minister claimed to be of a personal nature and friend of Ja'far's. Before this meeting,
the two already met several times. Their last meeting was made in the middle of April.
Imbalanced
Referring to the Moluccas Agreement of Malino, according to Ishal Latuconsina other
points covering re-evacuation of refugees and return of their case and mental
rehabilitation, social, economic and general infrastructure will be done by the people
and government.
Apart from that, point eight stresses that all forms of citizen's space limits will be
released in order for a better social and economic life in future. All along,
concentration trained on security and law enforcement have been poorly balanced
compared with programs of the Moluccas Government like feasible general
rehabilitation facilities.
General facilities like the market, for instance, it has been structured in an emergency
style while order still has to be established. Market order, for instance, will make a
favorable impression on the business world. Taking care of the ruins of burnt
constructions, will also decrease the trauma of violence which still can be felt and at
the same time lessen the impression that might surface of irrepairable conditions in
Ambon.
Deputy Chairman of Parliament, Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, who is chairman of the joint
team said Saturda evening after a meeting with folks figures that material derived
straight from Ambon will be treated afresh in Jakarta. All shortcomings and delays
found in the provinces will be reported to find the right solution and to continue the
reconcilliation process. (*)
© C o p y r i g h t 1 9 9 8 Harian Kompas
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