The Jakarta Post, January 20, 2003
Accountablity for violence key for peace in Maluku
Ati Nurbaiti, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
The makeshift market under the ruins of the former Mardika market was bustling on
Jan. 19, the Sunday which marked the fourth anniversary of Maluku's devastating
conflict. A "reflection" session had been planned at the quiet Al Fatah mosque and
melodious hymns were heard from mass at Maranatha Church nearby. Working each
day to get along, residents beyond the two symbols of what became a vicious divide,
are on the watch out for "provocateurs" who they would blame for any further violence.
But unless the most demanding questions are resolved following massacres,
destruction and forced eviction, citizens here would conclude that the state does not
care that they are left to bear grudges toward one another despite all efforts at peace.
Unlike the case of Aceh in which the state is clearly a party to the conflict, the
unresolved question remains of who is responsible for the thousands who lost their
homes and family members in Maluku since early 1999.
There is still trust in the government. Many hope for a thorough follow up of police
interrogations regarding the suspected association between a gang of hoodlums, the
Christian Boys (Coker), and the Army's Special Forces, although "it is very
embarrassing for Christians," says Father C. J. B"hm of the Catholic church here.
Both Christians and Muslims wait for the answer to whether the association goes way
back to the start of the violence in January 1999, or even earlier incidents such as the
clash on the isle of Dobo near the southern part of Papua.
Investigation and prosecution of those responsible "would be consistent with the
Malino Declaration," says Protestant youth leader John Ruhulessyn, citing the
government-sponsored agreement signed in the Malino town in Central Sulawesi
between the warring parties. Because the involvement of Coker is not entirely
conclusive, he said, "we await the results of the independent investigating team"
working on the Maluku clashes.
The incident last Tuesday in which a homemade bomb hurt one passerby and injured
two others, and in which another died of injuries due to an assault by locals, "is a sign
that things are not quite conducive yet," he said.
The suspected presence of "provocateurs" and fatigue over war has led to restraint
following frequent bomb threats and explosions, particularly after the Malino deal was
signed last Feb. 23. Casualties of each incident are considered unfortunate but
eventually seen as an acceptable way "to let out anger" -- though activists and
traditional leaders worry about people taking the law into their own hands. Three
passing vehicles had their windows smashed last Tuesday and a vehicle of the
Ambon diocese was set on fire following suspicions that the bomb was thrown from
one of the passing vehicles.
Although the suspicions regarding the Ambon-based gang have yet to be proved in
court, the suggested involvement of a third party makes everyone a victim of the evil
deeds of an outsider way beyond their grasp, in this case a state party, the special
forces.
Similarly the exit and disbanding of Laskar Jihad was news welcomed with "rejoicing,"
a resident said, who like many think the militia, like the Maluku Sovereignty Forum
(FKM), which is associated with Christians, had worsened the conflict.
A thorough follow up of investigations would settle doubts of whether the responsibility
lies only on Coker and the special forces, or Laskar Jihad alone, for the violence of
more than three years triggered by a squabble involving a public transport driver on
Jan. 19, 1999. The respected ustadz or Islamic teacher Ali Fauzi is convinced that it
was a well organized scheme of the Christians to massacre Muslims, perhaps
because Muslims were becoming dominant in the economy and also the
bureaucracy.
Among advocates of peace, this has been the incorrect political view, a view the
majority would wish to avoid. Yet it cannot be ignored, as it is echoed by others
including those in the Muslim refugee camps.
The elderly ustadz whose house was also set on fire says, "Who on earth wants to
remain enemies forever? But making peace must remain a natural process and should
not be imposed. And unless the government displays a will to get to the bottom of
this, people can make peace all they want, but there can never be lasting peace."
After the initial fight in that afternoon of January 1999 troops had arrived in a matter of
hours in Ambon, hence many question how in the following days and months, so
many military and police units, each involving their elite squads, failed to quell
violence in the 10-kilometer-square town center -- violence which spread to other
towns, villages and hamlets in the small island of Ambon and other tiny, remote dots
on the Maluku map.
Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, the Yogyakarta monarch and governor, who is helping to
facilitate reconciliation among traditional Muslim and Christian leaders, represents
those who express that prosecution may not be productive now, when "the awareness
of Maluku people (for peace) is amazing".
Bringing the guilty to justice is last on the list of a gradual process of the Baku Bae
peace movement here, which earlier helped Muslim and Christian lawyers campaign
for law enforcement and "demand responsibility from the state". The activists including
former warlords of both sides in the conflict had said that peace was "a dirty word" in
Maluku, given so many attempts at peace in contrast with continuous killings and
arson which the authorities could not prevent.
Hence initial, more feasible phases of peace making included the facilitation of social
and economic rights such as setting up "neutral zones" for transaction spots, which
started from seven brazen traders into the current market, and assisting access to
education and health.
Ali Fauzi thinks that the process coordinated by Ichsan Malik, a lecturer on conflict
resolution at the University of Indonesia, who is trying similar attempts in other conflict
areas, is "a waste of money".
An activist of the Caring Women's Movement confirms that the word peace is avoided.
"We just look out for each other, reminding our youngsters against provocation, and
hold many activities together," said Ena Tatuhe, one of the Muslim women who set up
the movement with Protestant and Catholic women.
Father B"hm also says that religious leaders have not been able to talk explicitly
about peace. Hence investigations must be conducted and justice done, he said.
Despite the improving conditions, "if people feel they are deceived things may take a
bad turn". He noted how people are "so easily influenced by their leaders", citing the
crowds who greeted Alex Manuputty, the FKM leader who arrived here on Jan. 11 with
National Police chief Gen. Dai Bachtiar. Manuputty is on trial for subversion in
Jakarta.
Father B"hm expresses appreciation for the man in charge of the civil emergency
administration, Governor ad interim Sinyo Harry Sarundayang, who is "less confused"
and "more daring" compared to predecessors. He adds he has "much confidence" in
Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Jusuf Kalla and Coordinating Minister for
Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who he says give the
impression of having resolve in ending the Maluku strife.
And while people are watching whether law enforcement will stop at sacrificing Berty,
the Coker hoodlums, they expect local authorities to do a better job in maintaining law
and order -- and they expect compassion.
During a raid on motorists recently, a local shouted, "You stand by during massacres
and raid us for papers!"
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