The Jakarta Post, November 17, 2003
Police still on high alert despite progress in Larantuka
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara
The security condition returned to normal in Larantuka, East Flores on Sunday, a day
after thousands of angry residents burned down a district courthouse in response to
the jailing of a local priest.
Nevertheless, police were still on high alert, beefing up security at several public
facilities and residences of local officials.
Police said Sunday that they were yet to find and arrest those behind Saturday's
violence, which saw the Larantuka District Court building and several others belonging
to the Larantuka Prosecutor's Office razed by fire.
"The arson attack was a crime and we (police) have been ordered (by our superior) to
hold a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice,"
East Flores Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Darto Juhartono said.
"Saturday's violence shouldn't have happened if people understand that Father
Amanuen still has a chance to file an appeal. The legal process against him is not yet
final."
Thousands of angry residents rampaged shortly after a judge declared Father Frans
Amanuen guilty of defamation and sentenced him to a suspended jail sentence.
The case was filed by East Flores regent Felix Fernandez who sued after the priest
accused him of marking up the price of a multipurpose boat worth Rp 3 billion
(US$353,000).
The court sentenced the outspoken priest on Saturday to two months in jail,
suspended for five months.
Amanuen has appealed the verdict.
Local police have approached local religious leaders and called on them to calm their
followers and prevent them from committing anarchy.
Hundreds of police were deployed to guard Fernandez's official residence on Sunday,
as well as the official residences of the heads of the Larantuka District Court and
prosecutor's office.
Governor Piet A. Tallo urged local people to not get emotional in responding to the
situation, saying that brutality would only create more problems.
"I urge local people to be cool headed in responding to the dispute between Father
Amanuen and regent Fernandez, because brutality and anarchy will never solve
problems," he said Sunday.
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