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, March 9, 2006
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS - Report No. 507
1. ELEVEN DIE AFTER BOAT SINKS - An inter-insular passenger boat capsized in
the North Moluccas, not far from the town of Falabisahaya, Mangole island. Of the 22
passengers on board, only 11 survived the disaster. All passengers were employees
of timber company PT Barito, which is based in Falabisahaya. They were on their way
to the village of Tubang to attend a wedding reception.
2. CALM RETURNS TO AMBON - Following the violence between police and military
personnel that left one police officer and one soldier dead and one civilian seriously
injured (by a bullet), the situation in Ambon has now returned to normal. Police chief
Brigader General Adityawarman said both the police and the military had taken
internal measures to prevent the situation from worsening. So far,only one police
officer, Chief Brig. Imanuel Mahise, has been arrested. He is believed to have started
the violence by allegedly attacking a soldier.
Military Chief Air Marshal Djoko Suyanto said the clash had been triggered by
individual problems and described those involved as "teenagers who (were) still
emotional".
Adiyawarman expressed concern the incident would undermine security in Ambon
ahead of the RMS (Republic of the South Moluccas) anniversary next April 25.
Pattimura Military Command Chief Maj.Gen. Syarifudin Summah added: "We always
have a rise in security disturbances in the lead-up to April. We hope police and
military personnel will not be provoked".
Moluccas Bishop Mandagi's commentary on the whole affair: "The clash shows they
are not disciplined. The police and the military should make people feel safe, not
cause problems", he said.
3. VISIT BY THE DUTCH AMBASSADOR - Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Mr.
Nicolaos van Dam visited Ambon from 7 to 9 March. Together with his second
secretary of political affairs he had meetings with government and religious leaders.
Main purpose was to get first-hand information on the situation in Ambon and what
kind of assistance was still needed to recover from the conflict which started in 1999
and was officially ended in February 2002.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
