New Straits Times [Malaysia], Tuesday, April 27 2004, 3:44:48 PM
JAKARTA: Maluku riots renew fears of past horrors
Amy Chew in Jakarta
JAKARTA, Apr 26: AS the death toll in Indonesia's eastern island of Maluku rose to
23 from weekend violence with another 140 injured, residents expressed fears of a
renewal of the sectarian violence which claimed 10,000 lives from 1999-2002.
Yesterday, houses and buildings continued to be torched by mobs, home-made
bombs exploded and sounds of shooting was heard in the provincial capital of Ambon
in scenes reminiscent of its bloody past.
"The situation is very tense. We can still hear the sounds of shooting. The people are
filled with extraordinary fear," Anthoni Hatane, director of Legal Aid Institute for
Reconciliation, told the NST by telephone from Ambon.
"There are indications that what happened in 1999 may repeat itself because there is
so much provocation on the ground, with rumours of attacks being spread around."
Police say 200 houses have been torched.
Sunday's rioting started when the separatist Front for Maluku Sovereignty (FKM),
seen as a Christian group, hoisted the movement's flag, provoking the anger of
pro-integration residents who are Muslims.
If security forces fail to restore peace quickly, it has the potential to sow
dissatisfaction against the Government of President Megawati Sukarnoputri which, in
turn, will erode her popularity ahead of July 5 presidential elections.
"With this incident, Megawati's position will become shaky as she will be perceived
as someone who cannot safeguard security in conflict areas," said Abu Bakar,
co-ordinator of the Footbridge of Peace Institute.
"This will further reinforce the people's wish for a strong leader, one with a military
background." Former armed forces chief General Wiranto and security minister
General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono are expected to give Megawati a tough
challenge for the presidency.
Footbridge is dedicated to reconciling Muslims and Christians in Maluku. Abu Bakar
himself used to lead a group of men to fight against Christians.
Maluku first erupted in fury on January 19, 1999. The violence was triggered by a petty
incident - a man trying to extort money from a Christian bus driver in Ambon.
The situation deteriorated into large-scale fighting between Muslims and Christians
which lasted for years before it died down when the two warring factions signed a
peace pact in 2002. By then, the conflict had claimed 10,000 lives, according to
human rights groups.
Police officers investigating Jemaah Islamiyah said the Maluku conflict became a
cause for its members to fight against Christians.
A handful of Malaysians also joined in with the movement in Ambon during the
1999-2002 period. The Maluku conflict was also a factor in the unseating of
Megawati's predecessor, former President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Yesterday, government officials admitted thy were concerned over the latest outbreak
of violence in Ambon after a lull of nearly two years.
One battalion of troops and additional police personnel are being rushed to the island.
Copyright © 2004 NST Online. All rights reserved.
|
