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, January 8, 2003
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 343
1. INVOLVEMENT KOPASSUS IN UNREST – Today's "Ambon Expres" local
newspaper reports on several statements by Christian "Coker" gang leader Berthy
Loupatty, who is in detention at Brimob Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Berthy said
that their acts of violence in the Moluccas that happened after the Moluccas
Agreement of Malino (February 2002) were backed by the KOPASSUS troops
(Kopassus = Special Army Forces). Berthy's legal representative, Christian
Rahayaan, confirmed to the press in Jakarta yesterday that Berthy in the attacking
and bombing activities of his gang towards both Muslims and Christians, not only was
backed up but even was paid for by the Kopassus. Christian said that it were not just
individual Kopassus personnel but Kopassus as an institution that made sure that
these acts of violence were carried out. The Coker gang was provided with weapons
and bombs to accomplish their "mission". Thus – Christian said – the post-Malino
terrorist acts were the government's doing.
However, what could be the motive of this triggering of mutual hostility between
Muslims and Christians? Christian says he is quoting Berthy when stating that
initially Berthy c.s. were asked by the Kopassus to help fostering security,
specifically spying on the FKM (Forum Kedaulatan Maluku): whether they might be a
reincarnation of the RMS (Republik Maluku Selatan separatist Movement). Apparently
the FKM did not bring about any violence; it was just an ethical movement among the
Christians of Ambon. So the Kopassus started its own series of brutalities together
with the coker gang who were moderately, even meagerly, paid for it.
The reporters then went up to Lieutenant Colonel D.J. Nachrowi of the Army. Nachrowi
denied any involvement of Kopassus troops in the Ambon conflict. He did not
understand why the Kopassus should be the culprit in that latest phase of the
Moluccas conflict. Several other high-ranked army officers answered likewise.
2. RETURNING REFUGEES – We read in "Ambon Expres" daily the following
information on IDP-s, provided yesterday by the local head of the Social Affairs
Department, Dr. Ishak Umarella. The total number of refugees in the Moluccas that
have returned to their original homesteads is 1,700 families. The total number of IDP-s
is still a staggering 63,000 families or more than 330,000 persons. Earlier (on January
3, 2003), Acting Governor Sarundayang admitted that the IDP-s problem is very
complicated. He said that the IDP-s would have to be consulted: they could not be
returned just like that. And their return has to be guided well.
We read elsewhere that the total number of IDP-s in the whole of Indonesia is
estimated at 1,3 million persons; 80% of this number meanwhile has lost its official
status as "IDP" at the end of 2002. The secretary general of the department of Social
Affairs, Drs. Rochadi, recently stated that the government is trying to enable the IDP-s
to earn their own living.
3. STATEMENTS ON THE SITUATION IN THE MOLUCCAS BY ARMY COLONEL –
According to Java based "Republika" daily newspaper, colonel Tony Hoesodo of the
Indonesian Army, stated on January 3, that in its security strategy for the Moluccas in
2003, special attention will be paid to the separatist RMS Independency Movement,
which (according to him) is considered to be one of the main instigators of unrest and
violence in the Moluccas.
He added that, thanks to the relative calm situation during the past period, the
strength of the five battalions that are stationed in the Moluccas, will be reduded from
682 to 450 personnel per battalion.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
