The Jakarta Post, November 19, 2003
Governor tries to reconcile as East Flores remains tense
Yemris Fointuna and Jacob J. Herin, The Jakarta Post, Kupang/Flores
East Nusa Tenggara governor Piet A. Tallo met with local leaders, including religious
leaders, in Larantuka Tuesday following the burning down of the town's courthouse
and prosecutor's office on Saturday.
Schools have since reopened but people remain wary of going out, especially at night,
and employees of the court and prosecutor's offices are still receiving protection from
the diocese.
Provincial prosecutor's office spokesman Douglas Oskar Riwu added that virtually all
of his office's and the court's files had been destroyed, and that they would first have
to make out an inventory of all cases filed with the two institutions.
East Flores regent Felix Fernandes said the administration had provided two
temporary buildings for the court and prosecutors, and he urged their staff to return to
work as soon as possible.
The burning down of the district court and prosecutor's office in Larantuka, a mainly
Catholic town, followed the conviction of a local priest, Frans Amanue, for defaming
East Flores regent Felix Fernandes.
The defendant received two months in jail, suspended for five months -- meaning he
will not go to jail unless he reoffends within the next five months. The priest had been
quoted in a local paper as saying that the budget estimates totaling Rp 119 million
that had been sent by the regency to Jakarta did not make sense, and that some of it
would be used by the regent in his own interests.
Governor Tallo urged people to refrain from anarchic acts. "Do not settle problems by
making other problems," he said during a meeting with local leaders. "Let's put our
trust in the existing mechanisms and avoid friction within society," he said.
Police have arrested three suspects, and residents say they are staying at home at
night for fear of being arrested. Since Saturday, security personnel have been
conducting house searches to find those responsible for the attacks.
On Monday, provincial police chief Brig.Gen. Edward Aritonang also met with local
leaders, including Bishop Mgr. Darius Nggawa. "I asked for his support in calming
down the public," Edward said.
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