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, Mei 12, 2004
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS – Report No. 434
1. ALEX MANUPUTTY STILL IN THE USA - Following the since last April 25 erupted
unrest in Ambon, the Indonesian government again has asked the government of the
USA to have Manuputty deported to Indonesia. However, according to Minister of
Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda, the US government can hardly be supposed to
deport Manuputty because of his political activities. He said in a hearing with House of
Representatives Commission I for foreign policy: "We need to send evidence of crimes
committed by Alex to the U.S.; if we could obtain this, it would be possible to have
Manuputty deported to Indonesia". Manuputty was sentenced to three years'
imprisonment last year for heading the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM), but
inexplicably managed to flee to the USA.
2. MILITARY PHOTOGRAPHED WITH RMS FLAG - In the afternoon of May 7, three
military servicemen posed and had photographs taken of themselves with the
outlawed RMS-flag. As background they had chosen the bell-tower of the protestant
GPM church (known as the "Gatik" church) of Galala-Hative Kecil a few kilometers to
the east of the city centre of Ambon. They also spread the flag under the steeple, laid
two rifles and a number of bullets on it and photographed it. These military were from
the Arhanud 11 unit. Their commander, captain Try Sugianto then had them burn the
flag and destroy the film - which they did. He then asked the minister of the church to
keep it among themselves. The minister, however, saw it as his duty to report this
happening to his superiors: the GPM Synod in Ambon. Military Chief Commander
Kodam XVI/Pattimura, Maj.Gen.TNI Sarifuding Summah, tried to wave away the event
as naughtiness of some young soldiers, whereupon the Synod vehemently protested
and the GPM Crisis Center together with GPM Advocacy Department, issued a Press
Release, dated May 10, 2004. Herein was recommended to replace the Arhanud 11
unit with another unit. Further, the residents of Ambon were requested not to let
themselves been provoked by events like this and to report immediately any
irregularity which might harm the respectability of the christians in Ambon and the
relative stability in town.
3. ACKNOWLEDGMENT - SOS messages, interviews, pleas for help etc. going out
from Ambon, have drawn worldwide attention. For the encouraging stance of the
Vatican and the World Council of Churches, of several Foreign Governments,
International Associations, Embassies and Consulates, Msgr. P.C. Mandagi, bishop
of Amboina, together with all Ambonese that long for peace, want to express their
sincere appreciation and gratitude. The same applies to any unbiased report on the
renewed unrest in Ambon by the news media.
4. NEW WEBSITE - We may recommend to visit a recently launched new website:
www.indonesiawatch.org. The site is in both Indonesian and English and intends to
support the struggle for dignity and freedom in Indonesia. News, comments and
articles, also information on Christian and Islamic beliefs will constitute the principal
focus of this site.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
