Masariku Network, 17 Mei 2004
Preliminary report of human rights violation in Ambon, Maluku
25 April - May 2004
Compilation Report by: LOVE LANTERN FOUNDATION
Supporting Data and Analyses from:
Crisis Centre GPM
Yayasan Salawaku Maluku
Voter Education Network (JAPEM ) UKI, Contact Maluku
PROLOG
Recently, conflicts and violations were coming into existence again in Ambon began
on April 25, 2004 and went on over the one week later of bloody battlefield. The
involving of military troops from ARHANUD S-11 on this conflict have to be counted as
the critical conflict which have brought into the massive human rights abuse, because
they did not follow the standard procedure of operation. It is impacted to the 27
peoples dead, burning over the 100 people's houses, burning of public facilities as UN
OCHA building, Jasindo Insurance building, The campus of Christian University of
Maluku (UKIM), Muhamadiyah High School, destroyed and burning of Silo Church and
Nazareth Church, and the massive refugees of 10.689 peoples from 3 Districts in
Ambon: Sirimau, Baguala, and Nusaniwe.
The conflict and violation was began on celebration of RMS' anniversary day on April
25, 2004, When the over 250 peoples gathered in Waai, Kuda Mati residence, in front
of the house of FKM* Leader's Alex Manuputy to celebrate that day with raising RMS'
Flag together with the flag of United Nations. The situation became worst when the
Secretary General of FKM Moses Tuanakotta was detaining by The Regional Police
and the police asked him to come to the regional police base. The people was protest
and ask to follow their General Secretary to the Police Regional Office by marching
from Kuda Mati residence to Police Regional Office in Batu Meja residence (2,5 KM).
After the interrogation, The Regional Police detained Moses and another 23 FKM's
activist, and the rest was releasing to back home by marching. On the way back, the
group who was naming themselves as pro-NKRI defenders trapped them.
The physical attack was going on as the root of massive violations accordingly.
I. The Pre-Condition of Conflict
The situation on Ambon has not really conducive, particularly during the preparing
time towards the legislative general election. The group of Voter Education Network of
Christian University of Indonesia* identified some critical condition as follows:
1.The Burning and Destroyed of Refuges Camp in Poka and Rumah Tiga Residence
- 23 February 2004 - This is the repatriation day of Poka and Rumah Tiga's
Refugees from the past Ambon conflict. The Poka's camp was rehabilitated on
Pohon Mangga area. It was burnt on early morning, by un-identified peoples.
One room was destroyed and the peoples who live near this place were trying
to rescue the rest camps. While in Rumah Tiga's camp in Wailela village, they
destroyed a half of camps.
- To secure this situation, the police stated 1 platoon supporting inorganic Police
Brigade Mobile, the groups of Police Sector of Baguala, and the military troops
from Military District Command 1504 Ambon and Lease.
2.The Increasing of Provocateurs' Intimidation to Catholic Diocese of Ambon by people
who introduce themselves as INTEL KODAM
Catholic Diocese of Ambon identified incognito peoples who introduce themselves as
INTEL KODAM who came to intimidate pastors.
26 February, 2004
Local Newspaper "DEWA" edition 26 February 2004 was expose the planning of
Msgr. Mandagi, the top leader of Catholic Diocese in Ambon had appoinment to meet
the Military Superior KODAM to ask the clarification about the intimidators who
declared themselves as INTEL-KODAM. He proposed an open dialog to anticipate the
current condition where the increasing of violations, and to prevent the bloody conflict
in Ambon as ever happened on the past conflict in Maluku.
3.The Local Television News was exposing criminal cases in Ambon tend to provoc
the religious argumentation.
Several criminal cases, which exposed by Regional Police on local television in
Ambon always mention about the religious orientation of perpetrators and victims. It
could raise the dangerous religious argumentation, which created the religious
conflict.
4.The Raising Flag of RMS by FKM Activists, and The Demonstration of Moslem
Students Movement to protest Mrs. President Megawati Sukarnoputri visiting on the
Opening Celebration of International Airport Pattimura in Ambon.
3 March 2004
This is the opening celebration day of International Airport Pattimura Ambon.
Several FKM Activists protested the visiting of Mrs. President Megawati Sukarnoputri
to Ambon. They were asking about the concern of Indonesian Government on
searching the solution of Human Rights abuses of Past Maluku Conflict. They were
raising the RMS' Flag as protest. While on another area of Ambon city, The Moslem
Students Movement was conducted street demonstration against the policy of
Megawati to solve the corruption and collation on her governance. These events did
not created conflict.
5.Rumours about the boycott of FKM activist on legislative general election
Rumours among the community in the city of Ambon, about the boycott of FKM
activist against the legislative general elections were intensive. Some of them
predicted about bloody conflict will be happened.
Rumours were increasing among the grass-root level peoples as motorbikes drivers,
Becak drivers and public transportation drivers and Moslem communities in Baguala.
6.Land Rights Conflict between Military Institution (TNI) with the community
stakeholders in Karang Panjang, District of Sirimau, Ambon
Land Rights conflict between The Regional Military Command XVI Pattimura against
the community stakeholders who have the traditional land rights in Karang Panjang
was come into existence. On this area, military planed to build the military facilities to
back up their operation. The physical treated and intimidation which using the hand
gun by military to the legal advocators and community begun when this case was
bringing into advocacy of BAKUBAE Legal Aid Foundation in Ambon. The treated and
intimidation was still going on until the conflict was broken on April 25.
5 April 2004.
On the day of Legislative General Election, the military troops from KODAM XVI
Pattimura came to the Karang Panjang village and destroyed 8 houses of the
community who have the traditional land rights in Karang Panjang village.
7. The Coordination to anticipate the anniversary day of RMS
12 April 2004, Coordination meeting to anticipate the anniversary day of RMS was
conducting by Government, Regional Police Superior, Regional Military Commander
and the related institutions. Regional Police Superior was concluding his statement "
as far as the situation will not going into anarchy, it is not problem"
While The Public Relation of Regional Police Office asked the Protestant Churches of
Maluku leader to communicate the information to its congregations to maintained the
conducive and peace situation and did not trap and involve in dangerous activities. The
Police worried about the big unidentified group who planed to screwing up Maluku and
want to justified their existence, if FKM activists raise The RMS'Flag.
21 April,2004
The regional Military Commander Pattimura XVI was attending the seminar of The
Moslem Religious Institute (STAI) in Ambon as a speaker. On his public speech he
analysed about the existence of FKM-RMS movement as separatism. Based on his
analyse, the youth Moslem in Baguala established the Youth Moslem Forum of
Baguala as the opposition group against the FKM/RMS.
8. Exposing of Local Newspaper about aniversary day of RMS
Local newspapers in Ambon exposed the planning of celebration the RMS anniversary
day intensively. It stimulated the reactions from many peoples and institutions. The
critical statement came from Youth Moslem Forum of Baguala and Reform Youth of
Maluku. In their public statement they were ready to take action physically against
the separatism movement of FKM.
9. The Official Letters of FKM to Government of Indonesia, the Regional Police
Institution, the Regional Military Commander, and to the United Nations
23 April 2004
FKM was sending the official letters to The Government, The Regional Police
Institution, The Regional Military Commander and to The United Nations to inform
about the plan to celebrate the anniversary of RMS on April 24 and 25 2004. They
informed about the whole activities: Spiritual Service on April 24 in House of Alex
Manuputty and in Masjid Al Fatah. Celebrate with raising RMS flag and UN flag in
Alex Manuputty House in Waai, Kuda Mati. The official letters signed by Moses
Tuanakotta as General Secretary of FKM.
24 April 2004,
The open celebration day of the RMS' anniversary in Waai and Kudamati residence. In
the night, the FKM activists with FKM supporters was conducted spiritual service with
praying in the house of Alex Manuputty, while at the same time the spiritual service
with praying was conducted too in Masjid Al Fattah lead by Ustadz Shihab
particularly for the Moslem FKM activists. FKM has the Christian and Moslem
activists. They were working together and struggling hand in hand in peace.
Surrounding the areas there were several security forces (policemen and military
troops) was appearance to secure the situation in Kudamati residence.
II. The Bloody Conflict of 25 April 2004 in Ambon
Hour 02.00 WIT - Suddenly, the electricity in Kuda Mati residence (FKM Base) was
turned off. It took the 30 minutes duration of time. After it turned on, there were the
raising flag of RMS, spreading on the trees and several houses in Kuda Mati.
Hour 10.40 WIT, FKM activists was conducted the anniversary celebration with raising
the RMS Flag together with the UN flag in front of the house of dr. Alex Manuputty.
The celebration attended by more than 250 people supporters of FKM/RMS
Hour 11.00 WIT, The security forces (policemen) from Regional Policemen unit came
into that place and put down all flags (RMS and UN). They asked the General
Secretary of FKM Moses Tuanakotta to clarify and take the responsible action to this
event. Police Regional detained him and they brought him to the police regional base.
The FKM supporters protested and asked to the policemen to allow them marching to
follow their General Secretary. The policemen agreed and guarded them along the
way march from Kudamati residence to Regional Police Office in Batu Meja
Residence (2,5 Km). On the way to Police office there were another opportunist
groups joint the long march. Some of them were using the motorcycles and some of
them were yelling. The numbers of peoples was increasing until 500-1000 persons.
The route of marching went through Kuda Mati-Batu Gantung-Pohon Puleh-Tugu
Trikora-Urimesing-Batu Meja. The mass was stop in front of Regional Police office and
oration. Moses Tuanakota was detained with another 23 FKM activists.
Hour 12.30.WIT,
The rest of FKM/RMS supporters was releasing by Regional Police Commander to
back home. They were marching back to their base with the police guard.
Hour 13.00 WIT
While their marching back, and walking around Tugu Trikora, there came the group
who identified themselves as Pro-NKRI Defenders*, and holding the attribute of
Indonesian Flag. Their trapped the FKM supporters and throw many stones to them
people. FKM supporter's response with throwing stones too. The situation became
worst when they were trying to develop the physical attack. Someone from the
pro-NKRI group throw the Molotov bomb to the roof of Silo Church, near the conflicting
area (On the past Ambon conflict this church was burnt and now it has not already
rehabilitate yet, it was still in rebuilding process). The throwing of stone became
intensively between the two side groups. Police officer gave the vertical warning
shooting. But suddenly there were the horizontal shooting came from unidentified
group to attack the peoples. It was impacting to the dead of 8 peoples (moslem and
Christian) by the shaping bullets, 98 peoples tortured and brought to the Al Fatah
Hospital, GPM Hospital, and Haulussy Hospital. The situation was uncontrolled,
where the pro-NKRI group destroyed and burnt people's houses and public facilities as
UN OCHA building, Jasindo Insurance building, Muhamadiyah High School, destroyed
and burning of Silo Church. More than 50 houses were burning on Anthony Rebok
Street and Air Mata Cina residence. At the same time the pro-NKRI riots were burning
people houses in Mardika residence. On this area there was another unidentified
group too was robbering and burning the people's houses including Aman Hotel.They
killed a young man, name Mr.Noke Meyer who was trapped in his own house.
The Local Newspaper "SIWA LIMA" Friday edition, April 30 wrote the testimony of an
eyewitness Mr. Y.Lopulalan (the village leader of RT001/RW04) about this violation as
follows:
Mr.Y Lopulalan noticed that the day before the conflict, the 4 peoples of security
forces from ARHANUD in Talake residence, came to him to ask for security
coordination together with the Moslem community leaders in Talake residence, to
anticipate conflict. He could not identify the name of those security forces because
they wear the military anti-bullet jacket.
On the day of bloody conflict, he saw a military troop from ARHANUD S-11 throw the
Molotov bomb upon the roof of Silo Church. Several security forces from ARHANUD
S-11 joint and support the pro-NKRI defenders.
Hour 13.30 WIT
The number of extra judicial killing victims from Moslem peoples was 9 peoples,
brought to Al Fatah hospital. It was created the religious fanatics that raised the
religious based conflict. The tendency public opinion that FKM/RMS group as the
Christian movement was develop among the community in Ambon, particularly in
Jakarta.
The increasing of massive violation through burning people houses, burning public
facilities was happening on the same spectrum in Poka and Rumah Tiga residence.
On this area, the extra judicial killing done by unidentified group. A man name Mr.
Berthy Manoppo was killed by the peoples in Kota Jawa residence on the way from
Laha (Airport) to Ambon. His dead body was found on the shore of Rumah Tiga
residence.
On this moment, there was a shifting of using weapons: from Molotov bomb to mortar
and bomb standard. From throwing stones to mouser and lancer and some
sophisticated weapons.
There came "the unidentified snipers" too, who has the professional skill to shot the
people on their head.
Hour 22.00-24.00 WIT,
The total number of extra judicial killing victims was increasing to 16 peoples
(Christians= 6,Moslem=10). The communities from Talake residence saw several
security forces from Arhanud S-11 was involved to guard the Pro-NKRI defenders and
ready to lead the battle against Christian people. They were hiding them selves in the
parit. While Christian people watched and rescued their area without security guard.
(Read the testimony of Mr.Peter Matahelumual who testify about his traumatic
experience in Sarinande area, Talake residence through cellular phone call with
Rev.Emmy S. on May 5 2004)
III.Massive Human Rights Violations on the Next one week, 26 April - 5 May 2004
26 April 2004.
Hours 04.00 - 13.00.WIT,
Bombings was exploited in Talake residence. TheTalake's communities identified the
involving of military troops to back-up the pro-NKRI defenders. They were come from
ARHANUD S-11 Talake. One of the troops was lead the group with his hand code for
attack. There were 5 military troops leaded the pro-NKRI defenders to go in battle. The
pro-NKRI defenders were entering Talake residence while the bomb exploit. They were
parted into 3 groups, group one leaded by military troops open the blockade and throw
the bomb, group two was entering accordingly to robber and destroyed the peoples
properties and houses, group three was burning houses. Most of the houses owner
was refuge to the highland area and they just watch their properties were destroyed.
Then, the riots were entering the Christian University of Maluku (UKIM) campus and
burnt the whole buildings including the library. This is the second time of burning
campus since the past Maluku conflict. Until hour 11.00, the pro-NKRI riots still
burning the peoples house on Wainitu residence to OSM residence (The Catholic
cluster). While snipers shot them.
2 pastors were dead by shot and sword.
The pro-NKRI riots were entering the Yos Soedarso port (harbour). The passengers of
ship "DOLORONDA " had just arrived from Surabaya and West Timor. While they got
down, suddenly the several people from riots with long-swords on their hand attacked
the passenger. They tortured 12 peoples and killed 3 passengers. One of the 3 dead
passengers is a pregnant woman Mrs. Yohana Luhukai, one is her little child 2 years
old. They were brought to the Baileu Camp in Maranatha Church/GPM Crisis Center.
Bloody conflict and violation was increasing brutally over 3 districts in Ambon: District
Sirimau, Distric Baguala and District Nusaniwe. It is impacted to massive refuges of
communities. Many peoples wounded by bombing and Mortar, without guarding
properly of security forces. They were ignored.
27 April 2004
Hour 11.00,WIT.
Throwing and explosion of 5 bombs by pro-NKRI riots in Nazareth Church area,
Karang Panjang residence. But did not destroyed the church. It was impacting to the
people panics. There was the sporadic riots concentration on several areas. The
congregations who live near the area decided to keep and secure their church.
28 April 2004
Hour 01.45.WIT, early in the morning
Several people of Nazareth Church congregations were watching and securing their
church on Karang Panjang lowland, in Amantelu village. Then, came the 10 security
forces from ARHANUD S-11 with the gun on their hand. They intimidated those people
and asked them to go out. They said that they would guard the area. They asked with
intimidate to turn off the church's electricity as well as they ask the wife of pastor Rev.
Hitijahubessy to turn off the electricity of pastor's house. Most of congregations afraid
and choose to leave the location, some of them were hiding themselves near the
church.
Hour 03.00.WIT,
Destroying and burning of Nazareth Church in Karang panjang began. The eyewitness
Mr.Petrus Mahudin saw the army troops of ARHANUD S-11 were involved. They
destroyed the whole churches brutally and then came the pro-NKRI riots burnt the
church. At the same moment the pro-NKRI riots were robber and burnt the houses of
congregations. 13 houses were burning.
Our 17.00.WIT,
Robbery and burning the people houses in Kampung Kolam residence, near the
house of Military Regional Commander, May.General TNI Syarifuddin.
1May, 2004
Hour 03.00,WIT,
The Frustrated shooting to the fishermen in Latuhalat shore, District of Nusaniwe.
7 fishermen lead by Mr. Yan Mahulette were in their boat "Jenny 01" preparing
themselves for fishing on Labuan Arahia port.They saw something like a strange
appearance and searching with flashlight to that object. It was a boat with the 6
persons who wear the military uniform and gun machine on their hand. Suddenly the
army shot them repeatedly. The fishermen were jumping into the sea to secure
themselves. Unfortunately, one fisherman (son of Yan Mahulette) Ricky Yakob
Mahulette (14 thn) was killed. Many bullets destroyed the boat.
5 May 2004
Hour 05.00,WIT,
2 peoples dead. Unidentified group shot them with handgun from a boat in the sea, in
Wainalu village, district of South Buru island: Obeth Lesnusa and a child were killed.
IV. Detaining of Mrs.Molly Manuputty with her two daughters, the wife of Dr. Alex
Manuputty (leader of FKM), discrimination before law.
3 May 2003,
Detaining of Mrs.Molly Manuputty together with her two daughters was not fair. She is
the wife of Dr. Alex Manuputy, not the FKM activist. This is the discrimination before
law. She is now detaining on National Police Head Quarter custody, Jakarta.
Discrimination before law was happened to another Christian FKM activists, while the
Moslem people who involve on spiritual services of RMS anniversary day on Al Fatah
mosque have not detain yet as well as the security forces troops who involve to
conduct burning Nazareth church and manipulation of raising RMS Flag in Hative
Kecil.
V. The Manipulation of Raising RMS FLAG and RMS weapons on the minaret bell on
Gatik Church (Galala-Hative Kecil) by 3 security forces of ARHANUD S-11.
7 May 2004
In Hative Kecil, 4 eye witneses of Hative Kecil community, saw 3 security forces of
ARHANUD S-11 was went up to the bell minaret Bantu of Gatik (Galala-Hative Kecil)
Church. They were raising the RMS flag. One of them was covering his body with
RMS flag holding weapons. One of them was put bullets on the RMS flag on the floor,
and then one of them was taking picture. Those eyewitness met them and ask for
clarification of their action, and they response that the action just for remembrance of
their job. That eyewitness suspected the manipulation of RMS flag relation with
Christian movement. They met The Pastor of Native Cecil Church, Rev.Mrs.Zus
Moniharapon to make report. The church leader asks the leader of ARHANUD S-11 to
clarify and take responsibility. Then the military leader was trying to persuade them to
hiding this case (read the proceeding of eyewitnesses testimony). The community
identified name of two troops: Pratu Jalian and Prada Susanto.
The protestant Churches in Maluku was publishing their official Statement about the
position and role of Christian churches in Maluku and did not have the relationship
with FKM/RMS. The official letter was signed by Chairperson Rev.Hendricks and
General Secretary Rev. Mailoa.
VI. The Intimidations against Eyewitneses and Human Rights Defenders by Military
(Special Combat Forces and Security Forces ARHANUD S-11)
12 May 2004.
Contact person from Ambon reported about the intimidation and sweeping of security
forces from Special Combat Forces and troops of ARHANUD S-11. They were looking
for the eyewitnesses of Nazareth Church burning. The people were running away and
hiding themselves in Maranatha church on another area.
The same action happened too to the eyewitnesses of manipulating RMS Flag in
Hative Kecil residence, as well as the human rights defender from GPM Crisis centre.
Now they were refuge to the safety place and need the confidential protection.
VII. The Snipers are coming from Mujahiddin Defenders with Sophisticated handgun.
The information from the meeting with Commission D Maluku Provincial House of
Representative.
13 May 2004
Several members of Provincial House of Representative in Maluku appeal and met the
Commission D. They were: Rev. Christian Sahetapy, Rev. Yafet Damamain, Rulan T.,
Mrs. Monika. B, Yosia P.,Abraham M., YunusT. They met the Vice Chairperson of
Commission D, Mr. Sueb Eka Putra from TNI/POLRI Fraction. Mr.Sueb informed that
the snipers were coming from Mujahiddin Defenders group who has the sophisticated
handgun. He suspected that a number of Mujahiddin Defenders now is entering
Ambon.
Conclusion And Analyses
The pre-condition of conflict have developed before the anniversary day of RMS. It
indicated on government and the security forces ignored the sign of conflict and
violation, they pretended to anticipate the situation but when the conflict manifested,
they did not manage on proper way. Actually the Regional Police and the Regional
Military Command could prevent the situation through asking the FKM activist to stop
their activities.
The involving of security forces from ARHANUD S-11 to joint the pro-NKRI defenders
must be counted as the wrong procedure standard operation to manage the violation.
The manipulation of raising RMS flag on bell minaret near the Christian church by
security forces indicated to the manipulation opinion done by several military troops to
shift the human rights violation issues into the separatism issues. In terms of that
action, there has indication to manipulate the FKM separatism movement similar with
the Christians movement. It would justify the battle between Christians as separatism
and Moslem as pro-NKRI defenders. It was impacting to the way to manage conflict.
Most of FKM activists who detained by Policeman were Christians. While the several
Moslem FKM activists who conducted the spiritual service for RMS anniversary in Al
Fatah Mosque have not detained yet.
There were the repeated of conflict location and methodology of violation of past
Maluku conflict 1999. Location of conflicting areas: Talake, Waringin, Kuda Mati,
Gudang Arang, Poka, Rumah Tiga. The methodology of violation was systemic
massive violation on several areas on the same time at once command. It has
happened on 4 steps: Open blockade- attack-summary killing, robbery and burnt
property or houses. The weapons: Molotov bomb, Long-Sword, Mouser and sharpen
bullets. The condition indicated about the way to clean separatism through terrorism
methodology.
Discrimination before law to Mrs. Molly Manuputy and her 2 daughters. She is not the
FKM activist; she is the wife of the FKM Leader Dr. Alex Manuputty.
Extra judicial killing, tortured, frustration shooting, public facilities destroyed, massive
refuges and involving of security forces in conflict indicated to the crime against
humanity or massive Human Rights abuses.
The issue of Mujahiddin Defenders who is now entering Ambon, which have informed
by authority institution (Provincial House of Representatives) must be counted as the
dangerous sign of massive religious conflict.
8.URGENT ACTION: Appeal to the independent investigation and protection
We are grateful and open to any supporting data to make this report complete.
Jakarta, 13 May 2004
Data and Documentation
Emmy. S.
E-mail : solid-nup@dnet.net.id
* FKM = The Moluccan Sovereignty Front, Was Founded by Alex Manuputty on the
year 2000 to struggle for Maluku Independence. This group have the traditional link
with the past South Maluku Republic Movement.
* The Voter Education Network of Indonesian Christian University (UKI) conducted the
series of voter education with the Moluccan's Indigenous people from February -
March 10, 2004 over 5 Regions in Maluku: Ambon, Buru, Central Maluku, South East
Maluku and South West Maluku.
* Pro-NKRI Defenders. The group who identified themselves for defence The Integrity
State of Indonesian Republic. Most of the member is youth Moslem people.
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