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, December 4, 2004
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS - Report No. 455
1. KASUI IDP-s - The little island of Kasui, to the South-East of Ceram island,
became world news when, under influence from outside, forced islamisation took
place there, starting in November 2000. See Reports 96-154. The islamized christians
could at last be evacuated. Most of them (1.670 persons) have lived on the island of
Kei-Kecil since then, others are staying in Ambon, but they have never stopped
striving to return to the land of their ancestors. One of the latest serious attempts to
this end was done in March 2004. See Report 416, where also is mentioned a series
of reasons which prompt some muslims of Kasui to object to the return of the
christians (most of whom are catholics).
Last Wednesday, December 1, 2004, representatives of the Kasui refugees that are
spread over several locatons on the island of Kei Kecil, had a meeting in Tual with
deputy governor Mohammad ("Memet") Abdullah Latuconsina. Latuconsina reported
to those present on his earlier visit to Kasui. He had discussed then the return of the
christian refugees. Though some of the local people were not engrossed with the idea
of their christian brothers returning to Kasui, nevertheless the majority seemingly did
not object to their return. A first step, according to Lautconsina, will be the positioning
of security posts on Kasui. However, no date has been fixed yet for any returning.
2. CONFLICT WAKAL-MAMUA, SHOOTING IN PELAUW - The Moluccas conflict
1999-2002 has its after effects up to now: people more rapidly resort to violence when
a conflict arises. A conflict between some youngsters from the islam village of Wakal
and their counterparts from the islam village of Mamua, district of Leihitu (the northern
peninsula of Ambon) led to the death of Ismael Wael from Wakal, due to being
stabbed with a knife, and four people being wounded. Residents of Wakal then took
revenge by attacking Mamua in the night following December 2, resulting in the
burning of 15 houses while several dozen of houses were destructed. A Brimob police
platoon that was sent there to appease the conflicting parties, was not able to prevent
these destructive activities. However, a second attack by a group of masked men that
tried to invade via the shore, could be thwarted by the Brimob forces.
In Pelauw, island of Haruku, too, there happened some fighting, resulting in two young
men being injured by bullets.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
